#Jack just shows up and offers to help remodel | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

flyingfish1 · 4 years ago

Text

was ‘healing & wholeness through death’ always Dabb’s intention

Content note: discussions of suicide attempts, including quotes from the show on that topic; and the concept of death as the solution to problems

Mary should have been the blaring warning siren and I didn’t listen.

Castiel: I'm looking for someone. Dumah: Mary Winchester? If that's why you're here, then you should leave now. Castiel: Why? There may be a way to bring her back. Dumah: Why would you want to do that? … She is at peace. You know, she died painlessly. Instantly. Completely. She's in Heaven, a special Heaven. Mary Winchester is complete. You and the Winchesters may not be. But she is. -14x18 (Robert Berens) -transcript from superwiki

“Completeness” in death. Mary, now dead and in Heaven, is “complete,” says the story. And, in this moment in s14, the Winchesters and Cas are apparently not “complete.”

Mary, who initially didn’t want to be alive:

Mary: I didn’t ask to come back here. Billie: No, you didn’t. And you hate it. The look in your eyes – I’ve seen it before. It’s a dead man’s look. Eyes that say no matter where you go, what you do, it feels like this world doesn’t fit anymore. Like you’re all alone. Dean: Well, she’s not alone. Billie: Tell me I’m wrong. [Mary doesn’t answer] I’m not here to hurt you. I’m here to offer you mercy. One way ticket upstairs. Away from all of this. [Mary hesitates] Mary: How would it work? Sam: Mom! Billie: Reapers don’t kill people. Rules. Mary: Well, then -- [She looks at Sam and Dean, then turns to look back at Billie] Then I guess you’re just gonna have to wait. -12x06 (Steve Yockey)

Mary, who struggled so hard with being pulled out of her heavenly paradise and given her life back. Mary, who struggled to get over the loss of her husband, and the loss of her previous life, and the loss of the two little children she had wanted to raise.

Mary, who held a gun to her own head more than once. Mary, who, at one point, sincerely begged Ketch to kill her:

MARY LEANS UP AGAINST MR. KETCH, GRABS HIS GUN AND BACKS AWAY. MR. KETCH: Mary MARY COCKS THE GUN AND PUTS BELOW HER CHIN. MR. KETCH: No. MR. KETCH GRABS FOR THE GUN AND MANAGES TO KNOCK IT AWAY AS IT GOES OFF. MR. KETCH: Ow! Ah! MARY: Then you do it! Kill me. All my life, all I ever had, other than my family, was my will. MARY BEGINS TO CRY. MARY: And it's going away. I'm – I'm putting people in danger. I'm putting my sons in danger. You have to – MARY DROPS TO HER KNEES. MARY: Please. For God's sake, kill me. MR. KETCH: Mary. MARY: Just do it! MR. KETCH: Mary, listen to me. It won't be long now. This will all be over. I promise. MARY: No. MR. KETCH: I promise. MARY: No. KETCH WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM AND LEAVES MARY IN DESPAIR. -12x21 (Buckleming) -transcript from superwiki

Mary later rejected death, although looking back at it now, in retrospect, she rejected it not quite so much on the basis of “living is good, actually,” but more on the basis that Heaven isn’t good enough (… not yet, as it turns out):

[Kevin tears open his shirt revealing a sigil carved into his chest.] … KEVIN: Michael says… that when I get to Heaven-- when he lets me into Heaven-- I'll get to see my mom again. MARY: I've been to Heaven, and what's there… it's just memories. Nothing's real. -13x20 (Glynn) -transcript from superwiki

(I was so happy for her when I first watched this, because I thought it was a sign that she would be turning the corner and getting the opportunity to heal in life, and on a long-term basis. But………….)

Mary then did find strength and purpose in her life and her job – hunting, helping Jack, helping the AU World hunters. She came back to Sam and Dean’s world and forged stronger relationships with them. She started a romantic relationship with AU Bobby, although it seems that she had her troubles with it:

MARY: Bobby's not open like your dad. SAM: Wait. Like my dad? MARY: Okay. At least he's not like your dad was when I knew him. SAM: Right. MARY: Bobby's got walls, big ones. I just don't know if I can do that if I even ever put myself out there again. -14X05 (Glynn)

Her one true love, ultimately, was John. And then, in 14x13, she was hit hard by the loss of John just after getting him back again:

SAM: Uh, the, uh… the lore is pretty clear. We destroy the pearl, and it unwinds all of this. Dad goes back… and so will everything else. MARY: And he won’t remember anything? [SAM shakes his head.] SAM: No. [MARY nods. She shakes her head, crying.] MARY: Sam, I can’t.

[JOHN and MARY take each other’s hand.] MARY: I hate this. JOHN: So do I. … My girl. [MARY smiles through tears.] JOHN: I miss you so damn much. MARY: Me too. -14x13 (Dabb and Glynn) -transcript from superwiki

Mary’s next episode, 14x17, is her death.

(In between, we have 14x14, with Cas’ speech to Jack about appreciating the time they have with their short-lived human loved ones, and carrying on when they are gone. At the time I suppose I thought it was foreshadowing for Mary, but in retrospect it’s broader than that, isn’t it.)

So, at the point of Mary’s death, she’s not actively suicidal anymore. But her losses have been recently emphasized, and so has her pain. Her husband is dead.

And then comes 14x18 and her “completeness.” We find out in 14x19 that she and John are sharing a Heaven. She is at peace, we hear, because she is with her husband in the afterlife.

All in all, in retrospect, this concept of “completeness in death” – of having death be your reward and your happy ending – pervaded the Dabb era from the start. We learned as early as 12x19 that Jack would build a “paradise,” and now we know what that paradise is: this remodeled Heaven in which Dean can, apparently, have what wanted but couldn’t have on earth and in life. Dean, who -- though he wasn’t actively suicidal in 15x20 -- has also struggled mightily with wanting to be dead, and who has been suicidal in the past.

It results in this concept that, as long as you’re not actively suicidal (anymore!), dying at the age of 41 (or approx. 32, in Mary’s case) is fine. This concept that it’s good, actually, because then you’ll be whole and at peace.

I find this deeply disturbing. I know that the ‘reunited in Heaven’ concept works for some (and I think I wouldn’t even necessarily have a problem with it if it were explicitly shown to be happening at the end of a long and happy life). But as presented in canon, involving the characters that it does, with their lives being cut short the way they are, I do find it deeply disturbing. Personally, I’m finding myself (emotionally speaking) backing away from the entire Dabb era with my hackles raised.

And I feel stupid for not seeing it. Or, truthfully, for seeing some of it and then convincing myself that it wasn’t there, that I was wrong, that TPTB couldn’t be leading the story in that direction. For, I guess, buying into what I read as the Carver-era ‘retirement’/‘living a long and happy life’ themes so hard that I didn’t let myself focus on anything else. For always being half-afraid that TPTB would re-fridge Mary, so that when they finally did it I just went, “Well, that’s that :(” without examining the themes around it closely enough.

For not taking all the warning bells seriously.

I want to make sure to say this clearly: It is absolutely possible to heal in life. Friends, and loved ones, and old relationships and new relationships, and love, and loyalty, and peace, all exist in life, able to be found and created. Healing exists in life. Contentment. New experiences and excitement and joy and beauty. Nobody’s too traumatized for that. Dean and Mary deserved that. Everybody does.

#Dean Winchester #Mary Winchester #Andrew Dabb #Dabb era #my thoughts #spn #spn meta #spn 15x20 #suicide cw #long post #negativity for ts

306 notes · View notes

hotchley · 4 years ago

Note

i saw your reblog of the Spencer giving Aaron a father's day card thing and i can't stop thinking about how Aaron is the father figure to the entire team now.

(yes I'm also especially thinking about that one scene of Spencer and Derek stuck in the malfunctioning lift shrieking for Aaron just because. 🥴 dad!Hotch ftw!!!!!)

i know this concept has probably been done hundreds of times already but imagine: (SORRY THIS IS GOING TO BE A REALLY LONG ASK, I deeply apologise in advance)

[tw food/eating habits, some references to murder cases because you know this is Criminal Minds, some slight spoilers for people who haven't really watched the show and also reference & mention of autism & a character on the autism spectrum -> just a heads up, a disclaimer, I'm in no way diagnosed with autism, so if i have misrepresented autism, or made any mistakes, i apologise, it wasn't my intention, and i welcome all feedback & criticism — i genuinely want to learn]

a year after Spencer joins the BAU, Aaron notices & becomes very concerned over Spencer's (super bad) eating habits aka him only drinking coffee and forgetting to eat actual proper food when he gets absorbed in cases or research or reading etc -> which results in Aaron absolutely being like "hey Spencer let's grab lunch together" almost everyday just so Spencer eats (healthy, full meals)

(also Spencer picking up on this after Aaron "casually" gets him lunch/treats him to dinner/invites him over for meals for almost every day of the week and he was initially almost irritated/offended until he realised he could use Aaron's habit to make Aaron himself eat properly too because this hypocritical bastard doesn't eat properly himself either so every alternate day you can see Spencer purposely not going for lunch breaks while sneaking glances at Aaron's office just waiting for him to notice and drag them both to lunch together 😌)

also I really think Spencer is on the autistic spectrum (high functioning, imo, but I'm not really sure how this works, and I'd have to do more research) so I'd like to imagine Aaron knows that too because he's noticed Spencer's behaviors + Spencer got an official diagnosis and told him about it maybe 6-7 months into joining the BAU so I really think Aaron lets Spencer stim (physically, his hand gestures) on their lunch break because he knows that Spencer can't really do that in front of the others, so even when they're on cases, he would take Spencer out either for a private lunch or dinner or something, just the two of them, and he'd let Spencer stim & talk about any subject of his fancy as much as he wants to (I'm pretty sure someone wrote a fic like this and I absolutely can't remember the name or the author but I really LOVED the idea too)

initially Spencer was really taken aback too, because you know, this isn't something you do with your boss, of all people, but Hotch had always meant what he says and his facial expression and body language suggested that he was being absolutely sincere and serious about this, so Spencer tentatively started talking, and as their meal progressed, he eventually got comfortable enough to just go on, and not once did Aaron cut him off rudely, until the end of their meal, when Aaron couldn't continue to pretend to drink his soup because he'd finished it somehow with those incredibly small spoonfuls, and he'd had to gently tell Spencer that they had to go back, but Spencer wasn't upset, because he'd just got over an hour to talk about this recent seminar about the connection of ancient Greek mythology to the developments of the society in ancient Greece which no one had ever done for him before and he's full, satisfied and beyond elated because Hotch really didn't have to do this, but he did anyways

at first it was just something between them but eventually Derek noticed & like in the end I think it's a kind of open secret between Aaron, Spencer & Derek and now when Derek notices Aaron doing it he gives Aaron a small nod and he wards off & deals with the questions that the others have when they inevitably notices the private meals Aaron & Spencer has

speaking of Derek, Aaron definitely has 1 on 1 time with Derek too, but doing different things. Derek's thing is sports & home renovations, and he repairs/maintains cars & bikes when he can, and I like to imagine Aaron knowing about his hobbies and casually asking Derek about the home renovation he's working on one time (before or early S1) Derek came into his office to submit a case file, and Derek being kind of shocked/caught by surprised initially (because he knows Hotch has a soft spot for the kid because he's much younger and much, much more inexperienced but Derek's older and should know better, so Hotch won't do the whole private lunch thing with him, right?) but then he grins and starts telling Aaron about how "I got that place absolutely shining right now, man" and then he invites Aaron over to take a look at the place out of courtesy/habit (his mama raised him as a good, polite young man, and no way Hotch would even say yes right?) and to his surprise once again, Aaron does accept his invitation

after that one time, Aaron begins casually asking him about his projects and even starts offering to help him do some of the painting and decorating (to be fair, it calms Aaron too, to have a getaway from Haley and initially from the crying baby, because while he absolutely loved Haley and Jack with all his heart, some days, some days he just couldn't take it, all the stress from Strauss and from trying to be a good father unlike his own, and he had to take some time off to himself, and painting walls is calming and therapeutic to him in some sense) & Derek and Aaron start bonding over hotdogs while sitting out on the front porch of some halfway remodelled house, talking about the latest sports news (they support different baseball teams but that's okay, because Derek gets to grin at Hotch and ask him to pay up when Hotch's team loses to his, and Aaron gets to raise his eyebrows with that small knowing smirk of his and ask Derek to "complete this by the next weekend, will you" when Derek's team loses to his)

when Aaron recruits Penelope, he's read her file, or what little the FBI's cyberteam got on her anyways. he knows the Black Queen's reputation, and he knows that the cyberteam really don't trust her and recommended high levels of surveillance, but the moment he saw her through the glass of the interrogation room and her resume & application on pink paper, he knew that she's not just what the file said she is. initially, she sticks to the "bureau regulated office attire" because you know, Penelope knows she's lucky, she should've been jailed for what she did, she was jailed, until this Aaron Hotchner guy decided, somehow, that she was deserving to be on his team, even after looking at her resume, which she had written on pink paper out of pure spite (because nothing in the FBI rulebooks said anything about submitting your application on specialized coloured paper anyways) but she was moody and unhappy because she's stuck in this tiny office having to answer the phone whenever agents called to ask for details on icky, gruesome murders and disgusting, vile murderers so she decides that hey, since no one ever comes in here anyways, she might as well do some re-decorating right? so she starts bringing in her own soft toys and figurines and starts amassing a whole collection of soft, plushy, and colourful toys in because it's her office and if she has to deal with all these yucky stuff on a daily basis she's going to make it at least bearable to be in here

one day, some tall, stern looking guy just comes into her office with this Tupperware in his hands saying "hey, Garcia right? my wife made some extra cupcakes for the team, you want some?" and she asks "do i know you?" and he blinks, stands there for one, two seconds before- "sorry, i forgot we haven't actually met. Special Supervisory Agent Aaron Hotchner, assistant unit chief of BAU Team 1, nice to meet you," [i like to headcannon that before Boston & all, Hotch was Gideon's assistant, some kind of assistant unit chief probably, but while he wasn't yet the unit chief he was definitely taking care of most, if not all of the administration matters i.e. hiring new agents etc already because let's be real Gideon is caring & capable but really hands off sometimes (also in S1E1 Derek referred to Gideon as their Unit Chief so I assumed Hotch took over the position full time, officially somewhere between S1E1 and S1E2 or 3)]

and then Garcia's brain kind of short-circuits because holy shit this is her BOSS, aka the guy who somehow, crazily looked at her resume and decided to HIRE her and she just asked him if she knew him OH GOD ALL THOSE FIGURINES- and she tries to explain because she really didn't mean to break any rules with them and they aren't, are they? and she can remove them but just, please, she can't go back to prison.

but then Agent Hotchner just goes "hey, hey, Penelope. it's fine. I understand. this is your office, and you have the right to decorate it. I'm not going to fire you over.... My Little Ponies? and uh, some unicorns?" and Penelope can't help but laugh because he genuinely looks baffled by her collection on her desk, and did he just call her Penelope?

and after that, once, after a bad case that Aaron knew affected Penelope (it involved murdered parents & their only child left orphaned and it just hit too close to home for Penelope), he stopped by a local toy shop and bought the brightest, most sparkly, most colourful thing he could find in there (it ended up being a small figurine of a princess on a small, detachable throne that could light up and play some really funky pop music. Aaron cringed internally as he brought it over to the counter, and awkwardly nodded as the cashier asked, "buying this for your daughter, sir? she's going to love it, it's the latest in a collectable series" and he pretended to not see the questioning eyebrow that Derek gave him after seeing the package) and when he presented it to Penelope when they got back, he got the biggest and most bone crushing hug ever from Penelope because "aw that's so sweet, thank you! and you got me the latest in the collection! it's limited edition!" and it just ended up becoming a tradition — Penelope always looks forward to the end of a case now, not only because that means her people are coming home, safe, in one piece (sometimes debatable but still, they're coming home, to her) but it also means that Hotch has brought her yet another tiny figurine or souvenir to add to her collection and she can't wait to see what it is, and Hotch always, always, finds the time after they've wrapped up the case, before the jet leaves, to pop by a local toy shop to get both Penelope and later, when he's older, Jack some toys or souvenir from wherever state he's in, because he wants both of them to know, that despite all the bad out there, there is still good in the world, and they should never forget that

OKAY this ask is SUPER LONG already i apologise skfjsk i have ideas for JJ & Emily but idk if you'd even wanna continue reading them... (maybe.... give me a sign and I'll send another ask and write it? 🥴)

anyways this was just something that came up and i had to write it out 🥺 sorry for spamming you, i hope you're having a great day/night ahead.

- 🌙

Hi so I'm putting everything below the cut for scrolling purposes x

He is!!

Oh my god, I love that scene. It came up in a TikTok about ships, because Person A and Person B are both very smart when they're alone, but put them together and it cancels out, and it made me laugh.

I also love Dad Hotch. Like I love him as much as I love "fighting to keep his emotions in check because he needs to be a leader, but you can tell from the slight change in tone, or the slight glaze of his eyes that he's seconds away from crying" Hotch. Which is saying something.

DON'T APOLOGISE FOR LONG ASKS!! That's what the keep reading on posts is for :))

Oh I love how much Hotch cares about Reid, and of course Reid uses it to his advantage to get Hotch to do the same, because they're similar in that way. Also, he would definitely start grinning when Hotch looks down at his empty plate like: oh. Platonic Hotchreid is everything to me, because it's these two people that have been caretakers their entire life trying to look after another person that wouldn't let anyone do that and it's just... the HOTCH ANGST POTENTIAL THAT IS SO UNTAPPED!!!

Also, not a criticism of you, but from what I've heard from people is that functioning labels are harmful and shouldn't be used because it misrepresents the situation!

I love that idea though!! And Derek being protective over them so he's just like: no, you won't interrupt them, and I will take control of the situation for a few hours AAH!!

OH I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT MORGAN AND HOTCH BONDING!! It's so perfect!! I love the idea of Morgan teaching Hotch to do things, and Hotch realising how relaxing he finds it to do these things.

And because we can't have nice things: he refuses to go after Foyet breaks into his apartment because he doesn't deserve peace, but then Morgan just uses his key, drags him out, takes him to a house and presses a brush into his hand because he's not going to let his friend self destruct like this.

EVERYTHING ABOUT GARCIA!! OH MY GOD!! I need to get some work done, so I'm going to finish up there, but seriously!! Amazing!! I love the idea of Hotch getting her little figurines and stuff <33

(shameless self promo, she does the same for him in "and he will come back home" hehe)

I would love to hear the Emily and JJ ones!! I hope that's the sign you need :)

Don't apologise for spamming I was having a dull day, and I hope you have a good day too!

#🌙anon #people talk to me #tw food #tw eating habits

15 notes · View notes

torturedwarrior · 5 years ago

Text

John Wayne Gacy:

“I should never have been convicted of anything more serious than running a cemetery without a license.” -- John Wayne Gacy, “A clown can get away with murder.” -- John Wayne Gacy. Who is John Wayne Gacy? What makes him a serial killer? How was he caught? American serial killer whose killings of 33 boys and young men in the 1970s attracted international media coverage and stunned his affluent Chicago neighborhood, where he was renowned for his sociability and success as a clown at charitable events and children's parties.

Gacy was raised into a blue-collar family and seems to have had a pretty ordinary upbringing. Yet he displayed an increasing inclination towards sadism, which resulted in a number of experiences with the law in the 1960s. In 1968, after his accusation that he had sexually assaulted a teenage boy, he was sentenced to the Iowa State Men's Reformatory (Anamosa State Penitentiary) and forced to undergo psychological evaluation. Following his release in 1970 and while still on parole, he was again arrested for sexual assault, but the charges were dropped later. In December 1978, the police found the first of 29 bodies buried in the affluent billionaire John Wayne Gacy's estate—26 in the crawl space beneath his residence in Norwood Park Township, and three more outside the building. He admitted to four further victims ' killings discovered in the waters south of Chicago. Forty years later, here's a roadmap to Gacy's trial, prosecution and execution, and ongoing attempts to identify the other six missing survivors. Gacy then became a fairly successful independent contractor and bought a house in Chicago's suburbs.

In 1975 teens in the uptown community inform the Chicago police that a man named "John" is circling the city in his car to pick up young people. It's John Wayne Gacy, a suburban man who runs a remodeling company. Officers are watching dozens of young men in and out of Gacy's house in Norwood Park Township. They're stopping many of them for questioning, but they don't say anything against Gacy. He is popular in his family to hold get-togethers and sometimes dress up as Pogo the Clown. In January of 1976 the police stake out John Wayne Gacy’s Home. Suspecting that Gacy might be responsible for the disappearance of a 9-year-old boy, the Chicago Police Youth Division is monitoring his house just east of O'Hare International Airport, although it is outside their jurisdiction. They're not in a position to make a case against Gacy.

“No, I don't think that's possible. I think it...after 14 years under truth serum had I committed the crime I would have known it. There's got to be something that would... would click in my mind. I've had photos of 21 of the victims and I've looked at them all over the years here and I've never recognized anyone of them.” -- John Wayne Gacy. Then in March of 1977 Gacy was suspected by police of a sexual assault. Twenty-seven-year-old North Sider Jeff Rignall says that Gacy lured him into his car by offering him marijuana before using chloroform to make him unconscious. Rignall claims Gacy then brought him to his home, arrested him, then sexually assaulted him before he let him leave. A $3,000 civil suit was dismissed in the incident. On December 31st, 1977 police had seized Gacy but then released him. He was charged by Chicago police when a 19-year-old North Side youth claims he was kidnapped by a gunpoint guy and compelled to participate in sexual acts. The police document reveals that when he was brought into custody, Gacy acknowledged that he was participating in activities with the youth—and their brutality—but declined to encourage the child to participate. The Deputy State Attorney chooses not to charge Gacy.

In December 11, 1978 a young boy by the name Robert Piest who was a 15-year-old sophomore at Maine West High School goes missing. Piest says to his mother to wait for a couple of minutes, because he has to see a man who pays 5 $/hour for a construction job, almost twice as much as he does in the drug store. But he has not been seen again. Then on December 12th, 1978 Lt. Kozenczak, whose son is attending the same high school as Piest, is insisting on a thorough investigation. He learns that Gacy, whose PDM Contractors had recently remodeled Nisson Pharmacy, was the man Piest went to talk about a job. Gacy was then asked to come to the station for investigation.

The next day on December 13th, 1978 Gacy leads police to a search warrant because he denied everything he was being charged with. Later investigators discover that Gacy's car was towed at 2 a.m. from a snowbank. On the Tri-State Tollway north of Ogden Avenue— about 38 miles north of where Gacy later claimed to have dumped the body of Piest. The tow truck company's reports help investigators assess the moment Gacy disposed of the youth's body within an hour. Around 3:20 a.m., Gacy marches with mud on his pants and shoes to the Des Plaines police station. He asks for a conversation with Kozenczak but is told to return later. He returns and gives a brief statement to the officers. Kozenczak asks Gacy to give him a search warrant for the keys to his house. Gacy is protesting but giving up his keys. Then December 21st, 1978 Gacy was arrested. Gacy is seen as passing a package containing cannabis to a gas station clerk while under police surveillance. According to Gacy, then arrested. Investigators were informed that Gacy has already confirmed that he has conducted "maybe 30" killings to his attorney. With Gacy in custody, police from Des Plaines and investigators from the office of Cook County sheriff get a warrant and enter Gacy's one-story. Police accuse Gacy against his will to hold Piest there and threaten to tear the floor to find the body of the teen. Gacy denies that Piest is there but says he was forced to kill a self-defense man and buried him under his garage's concrete floor. He directs police to the driveway and labels the place on the ground where the corpse is found with a can of spray paint., ranch-style house again.

On December 22nd, 1978 Gacy Finally confesses. "(Gacy's) giving all kinds of statements, saying there's a body here, a body there, a body in a lake or a lagoon, a body buried.” -- Cook County Sheriff Richard Elrod. In a rambling, repetitive speech that continues for several hours, Gacy tells police that after having sex with them, he murdered 32 young men. He speaks about himself in the third person, claiming "Jack" or "John" performed the murders and sex acts. He claims he hid the corpses of 27 people on his estate (29 would be found), most of them in the crawl space. Five other corpses (four would be found by police), including Piest's, have been dumped into waterways south of Chicago, claims Gacy. He sketches a diagram showing where the bodies are buried, offering six of his victims ' addresses. Gacy was convicted of the assassination of Piest, although the corpse of the teenager was not identified. December 26, 1978 the police find eight bodies in the crawlspace in Gacy’s home; but nine bodies were recovered. " ... one of the most horrendous (cases) I have ever had anything to do with."-- Cook County State's Attorney Bernard Carey. eight so far from the crawl space in the northeast quarter of the house, in an area under the office where Gacy conducted his remodeling business.

The Police have found thirty-two bodies but only five were not identified. The victims of John Wayne Gacy are: John Butkovich (18 years old), James Mazzara (20 years old), Frank Landingin (19 years old), Gregory Godzik ( 17 years old), John Szye (19 years old), Rick Johnston (17 years old), Timothy Jack McCoy (16 years old), Michael Bonnin (17 years old), Robert Gilroy (18 years old), Jon Prestidge (20 years old), Russell Nelson (21-22 years old), Victim No. 28 (14-18 years old), Victim No. 5 (22-32 years old), Darrel Samson (19 years old), Samuel Stapleton (14 years old), Randall Reffett (15 years old), William Carroll (16 years old), Victim No. 26 (22-30 years old), Jimmy Haakenson (16 years old), Victim No. 21 (21-27 years old), William George Bundy (19 years old). Michael Marino (14 years old), Kenneth Parker (16 years old), Victim No. 10 (17-21 years old), Matthew Bowman (18 years old), John Mowery (19 years old), Robert Winch (18 years old), Tommy Boling (20 years old), David Talsma (20 years old), William Kindred (19 years old), Timothy O’Rourke (20 years old), and Robert Piest (15 years old).

"I don't know what this trial cost. Whatever the cost, it was a small price. My voice is cracking because I really feel it's a small price we pay for our freedom. What we do for the John Gacy’s of this world, we will do for everyone." -- Judge Louis Garippo. March 13th, 1980 John Wayne Gacy has been sentenced to death. Judge Garippo imposes an execution date for John Wayne Gacy for June 2, 1980, but the penalty is indefinitely postponed while the case is brought before the Supreme Court of Illinois. On May 15th,1980 Gacy’s Lawyers; Sam Amirante and Robert Motta who have been paid each of the amount of $44,424 for defending Gacy have withdrawn from the case and then they billed the county $57,603 for expenses. Then his judge-Judge Garippo resigns from the bench after twelve years as a Cook County Judge to go into private practice. "If his lawyers believed that deluging the court with paper at the last instant would lead us to delay the execution in order to have more time to read the documents, they were mistaken."-- Judge Frank Easterbrook, U.S. Court of Appeals. Gacy finally died after a lethal injection of drugs at 12:58 a.m., with all his civil challenges rejected. At the Corrections Facility in Stateville near Joliet and Fried chicken and butterfly shrimp was his last meal.

Work Cited:

Jenkins, John Philip. “John Wayne Gacy.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 31 Oct. 2019. Web. 14 Dec. 2019.

Rumore, Kori and Kyle Bentle. "Here are John Wayne Gacy's victims - Chicago Tribune." Chicago Tribune: Chicago news, sports, weather, entertainment. 17 Dec 2018. Web. 13 Dec 2019. <http://www.chicagotribune.com/history/ct-john-wayne-gacy-victims-20181215-htmlstory.html>.

"Timeline: Suburban serial killer John Wayne Gacy and the efforts to recover, name his 33 victims - Chicago Tribune." Chicago Tribune: Chicago news, sports, weather, entertainment. Web. 13 Dec 2019. <http://www.chicagotribune.com/history/ct-john-wayne-gacy-timeline-htmlstory.html>.

"Top 20 quotes of JOHN WAYNE GACY famous quotes and sayings | inspringquotes.us." Inspiring Quotes | inspiringquotes.us. Web. 13 Dec 2019. <http://www.inspiringquotes.us/author/1001-john-wayne-gacy>.

#clown #john wayne gacy #serial killer

10 notes · View notes

yourcoolfriendwithallthecandy · 5 years ago

Text

Hearthway Hollow Chef Ryker Part 2

Again, many, many thanks to @momolady for letting me post my bastardized version of her story because I just couldn’t help myself from changing little details into big details into remodeling the whole damn story and playing god in her universe which please don’t do, that’s very disrespectful, of course I realized it was probably disrespectful and all that after the fact and will not be repeating those transgressions in the future. But I have been saving these pics, especially that picture of “Ryker” ever since I commissioned her and I want everyone to seeeeeee. I do have fanfiction of this story, that will be coming up soon. It’s a 2.5 which basically everything that happens between chapter 2 and 3. And all these health problems in this part? Those are all real, those are all mine that I deal with on a daily basis. Enjoy.

Hearthway Hollow Chef Ryker Part 2

“Mom, why aren’t we going?” Del whines from the passenger seat.

“Give me a second, hun,” I grumble. I try cranking the car again but the engine just whines for a moment before shutting down. “The car isn’t behaving.” I knew I should have brought the camaro. That car had never failed me. They just don't make cars like they used to.

I had stopped in Hearthway Hollow so Del and I could see the wolf reserve, but after breakfast this morning the car wouldn’t start at all. I take Del back inside and start searching through the phone book to find a tow service.

“Looks like we may be stuck here for a few more days,” I tell Del. “The car is going to probably need a few repairs.”

“That’s ok. I like it here better,” Del says with a big grin. “Are we still going to be able to go see the wolves?”

I sigh and sit down with her on the couch. “I’ll try to get us there, no worries. Once the tow truck comes I’ll see if they know of any places where we can rent a car.”

“Ok,” she says with a shrug.

“You’re not upset we’ll miss the beach?” I ask her.

She shakes her head. “Not really,” she shrugs.

“Oh? Why is that?” I ask curiously.

“I only said that place because you seemed excited to go somewhere,” she murmurs. “I just wanted you to be happy.”

I grab her up and hug her so tight. “You’re so sweet! But this vacation was supposed to be for the both of us.”

“I like it here,” she murmurs, resting her head on my shoulder. “So is it ok if we stay here a little longer? It’s nice and you’ve already made friends here.”

“Amelie and Shahan?” I ask. I kiss her forehead. “So you like them?”

Del nods quietly. “I like Ryker too, he’s cool and he made good on his promise.” Del added.

There’s a knock at the door and when I answer it’s Jack from the hardware store. “Oh hey,” he waves. “I thought the name sounded familiar. We’re here for the car.”

“Thank you.” I hand him over the car key. “Do you by chance any know of car rentals around here?

Jack takes out a card from his pocket. “This is the place you’ll wanna call. They’ll drive the car right over too.”

“Thank goodness,” I sigh. “I promised to take Del to the wolf reserve, and of course, the car won’t crank. I knew I should have brought the camaro, they just don't make cars like they used to."

"You have a camaro?" Jack asked excitedly.

"67 SS, 350 with nos." I answered before I showed him a picture of it in all its emerald green glittering glory as he whistled lowly.

"Wow, yeah you should’ve.” Jack chuckles.

“But it doesn’t have air conditioning, I know there’s a company that makes air conditioners that can be retrofitted but I just haven’t gotten around to it.” I explained.

“Well, isn’t that how it always is when you promise your kid something, something else breaks?” Jack chuckles. “I have your number, so as soon as we know what’s going on, I’ll give you a call.” Jack offers before he loads up my car onto the tow truck after I’ve emptied it out completely.

I tell him goodbye before I go inside to call the number on the card. As i’m waiting for an answer, I see Ryker’s note laying on the counter. After I slept on it and thought it over, I didn’t know if I would have the courage to start messaging him, I was only going to be here a day or two and I didn’t know if I would ever get the chance to see him again after this trip. But now that it looked like I was going to be spending my vacation in Hearthway Hollow, maybe if wouldn’t be so bad to call him and hopefully get the chance to see him again.

I make plans for a car to be dropped off at the cabin then I call Big Billy and explain the situation and agree to come in and rent the cabin for a week since I didn’t know how long it would take for the mechanic to fix it and send Ryker a quick text. ‘I’m having car issues and munchkin has decided to spend our vacation here. Any tips on how to continue to bring her out of her chicken nugget “shell” would be much appreciated.’ I text him but he doesn’t answer back and I pout at my phone. Maybe I just had my hopes up too high.

I sit back down on the sofa while Del paints with her watercolors on the coffee table in front of the couch and watches cartoons when my phone chimes again, the chef has replied. My heart thrums excitedly to see what he’s said.

‘Who is this?’ came the response.

I frown for a moment. ‘Zara. Zara Norris, Del’s mom. I was with Shahan and Amelie last night. I have a Michigan cell phone number, this message isn’t spam I pinky swear.’ I text back, hoping that would jog his memory.

It’s another long moment before my phone beeps again. ‘Sorry, I work late and sleep in late. I’m not a smart morning person. Yeah of course I’ll help. More than happy to.’ And my smile blooms brighter and my heart does somersaults in my chest.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t mean to wake you!’ I quickly apologize.

‘No worries. Did she enjoy the doggy bag I sent?’

I smile adoringly at my phone. ‘Yeah, she loved it, we both did, thank you so much, everything was awesome and delicious, it was the best meal of my life last night and then again this morning, thank you for the cheesecake too! That was the best I’ve ever had!’

‘Great. I’m gonna get coffee. Talk to you later.’

I smile to myself, wondering if I would ever get to see him again while I was still in Hearthway Hollow or if this was as close as I was gonna get.

After a while the car was dropped off and I was given a key. I signed a few papers for the rental and gave a down payment for the first two days. As I was looking over the car and making sure I was used to the controls I saw something strange in the rearview mirror. There was something in the trees, moving around a bit. As I turned, I saw it go down the hill and onto Amelie and Shahan’s porch. It was a wolf, a massive one too. It went in through the open door and I panicked. I didn’t have Amelie’s number, nor did I know Shahan’s or where he worked. In a moment of desperation I dialed Ryker’s number.

“Hello?” he sounded confused.

“I-am-so-so-sorry-to-call-like-this! But-I-just-saw-this-wolf- walk-into-Amelie-and- Shahan’s-place! And-I-know-Amelie- is-home-alone- and-Shahan- isn’t-there- and-I don’t-know- anyone- here! What-do- I- do?! Do- I- call- 911?!” I spew out a stream of conscious thought that stringed together as one single word.

“Whoa, whoa,” Ryker started. “Calm down, a wolf?” He asks as he still sounds like he’s groggy.

“Yes! A wolf, a huge one!” I’m nearly screaming and near a panic attack as electric shocks like lightning bolts shoot down my arms and into my hands until it feels like needles and knives are cutting into every nerve ending and down my legs making my legs spasm and into my rib cage, into the flesh in between each rib so it’s impossible to breathe until it subsides and into my face so my face twitches and twists against my will so and I cry out in pain because it’s unbearable and blinding for a moment and I’m overwhelmed.

“I’ll be right there!” Ryker assures me before he hangs up.

“Ok.” I spurt but he’s already hung up the phone. I give my body a moment to relax from the attack and use a breathing exercise to get me calmed down and stable as the attack stops and subsides and once I’m recovered, I attempt to dial him again but I go straight to his voicemail. “Oh crap, I’ve really done it now.” I groan and bang my head on the steering wheel. Great, now I’m a spaz. He’s going to tell me to loose his number. Way to go.

I glance back to the cabin where Del is inside. I don’t want to leave her alone but I feel like I have to go make sure Amelie is ok. Then again, what am I going to do against a wolf of that size? As I’m trying to keep myself from panicking anymore because panic = pain for me, I see a car pull up to the house. It parks around then side where I can see it and Ryker gets out. He goes to the front door and a while later comes out the back. Amelie and Shahan are with him on the porch and they’re both as calm as can be.

“What?” I whisper to myself. Ok, maybe I’m crazy and I’ve snapped again and I’m seeing things.

The three of them wave up at me, but I feel so stupid I have a hard time waving back. I get a text on my phone.

‘Mind if I come up?’ Ryker asks.

‘I feel like an idiot, are you sure?’ I answer.

‘I’ll have a look around the place, make sure there aren’t any wolves there. Just in case,’ he texts back. Is that a joke? I can’t tell. Well, time to face the music.

I watch as he walks up the road to the cabin. He’s wearing a dark blue henley with the buttons undone, showing off the dark pelt on his chest. His hair is disheveled, looking like he combed it with his hands. It’s beautiful, whereas my hair is just ringlet curly and hella frizzy.

“Good morning,” he says with a smile. “You ok?” He asks worriedly.

“Yeah, I’m just a spaz.” I try to downplay but he’s not buying it. “I have conversion disorder. Whenever I’m faced with any stress or anxiety or especially panic. My brain can’t process that or internalize it, it simply converts it into physical pain. I get “shocks” which feels like I’m being electrocuted and it travels all over my body, into my face, down my arms until it feels like red hot needles and knives are cutting and burning into every nerve ending I have, into my ribcage between each rib so I can’t breathe and down my legs into my feet until they feel just like my hands. It’s very painful.” I explained and Ryker just looks heartbroken to hear it. “So yeah, thinking I saw a wolf walk into a house totally panicked me and I didn’t know Shahan was at the house! I never should have called, maybe I'm crazier than I think I am and am just seeing things.” I grumble in shame and I can’t bring myself to look him in the eye.

“Hey, it’s ok, I would freak out too.” Ryker reassures me and closes the space between us and hugs me tight and I melt in his big strong arms and I’m pleasantly surprised when I feel so at peace and safe, like even if I was surrounded by a pack of wolves right now, I’d be ok, like nothing could ever get to me.

“I’m just sorry it caused you pain, that’s all.” He murmured regrettably.

“Thank you for not making fun of me.” I whimper as I continue to cling to him.

“What? No, never! Have people made fun of you for this?” He asked his own outrage making his voice have a growl that sends a shiver down my spine but a smile bloomed on my face as he just continued to hold me.

“Yeah, my husband, used to, he was a narcissistic asshole though. When I first got conversion, it got misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia and MS and I used to have to use a walker to get around and he would call me ‘gympopotomus’, a cross between gympy and hippopotamus.” You revealed as he took a sharp but deep breath in and held me even tighter as I could feel the hot air practicallyq come out of his ears as he buried his face in the crook of my neck and slowly released the breath as his jaw clenched.

“He was a good and decent father to Del and he wasn’t so bad that he beat me or anything, he just wasn’t the nicest or kindest person, he struggled with sympathy and empathy.” I tried to explain.

“And apparently being a decent human being.” Ryker huffed.

“Yeah…” I sighed sadly before I withdrew from him which he seemed reluctant but let go of me and took a small step back to reestablish the distance between us.

“Tell you what, just to be safe, I’ll look around while I’m here. If there’s anything suspicious, I’ll take care of it and make sure everything is..as it should be.” He reassures me and I’m relieved he’s not being sarcastic and he’s completely sincere and genuine.

“Thanks.” My face is growing red hot as I look at him, my own smile growing bashful. Something about him just sets off all the bells and whistles for me to see him look so...normal and casual and comfortable. I follow him as he walks around the cabin, unable to take my eyes off of him again as he walks around the side where I had heard scratching the night before as he seems to start walking quicker to avoid looking at the claw marks under the window as his cheeks get rosy again before he clears his throat awkwardly, his sharp blue eyes study the ground for a moment before looking off into the woods as he rubs the back of his neck for a moment as things grow awkward again and I feel the need to break the tension.

“So uhm...Ryker,” I chuckle. “That’s an interesting name.”

“My dad loved Star Trek,” he huffs. “So yes, I am named after that Ryker.”

“I knew it!” I gasp with a victorious smile then make myself shut up. “Sorry. I just had a gut feeling. I used to watch the show when I was younger. My uncle had every episode of every star trek on VHS and I grew up on it, Picard was of course my favorite but Ryker was a close second.” I grin.

“And you’re a Norris? Like Chuck Norris.” He grins cheekily.

“Yes, exactly like Chuck Norris, unfortunately not related to him. Because if I was, hey, when I did push ups, I’d push the earth down and my tears could cure cancer and venomous snakes would die if they tried to bite me.” I rattle off, remembering all the Chuck Norris jokes off the top of my head which makes Ryker bust up laughing. “So we both have famous names, that’s nice.” I finish. “And before I was a Norris, I was a Wright girl so I grew up with being Zara Left or Zara Wrong, I don’t know if that’s better or worse.” I shrug as Ryker chuckles to that as his grin grew a little mischievous.

“Oh I don’t think you ever stopped being the right girl.” Ryker flirts and my jaw drops and I giggle and blush like a teenager again.

“So, Wright like the Wright brothers?” Ryker asked curiously.

“Wright like Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect, now that one I am related to but distantly.” I answer.

He turns to me with that same soft smile like I’m the moon again. “Believe it or not, my dad met my mom at a convention. She was working the hotel it was at and well, despite the fact he was dressed in a starfleet uniform, he managed to charm her.”

“That’s really cute actually.” We walk up onto the back porch where the sliding glass door is, the curtain still open and I can see Del through the dining room into the living room, still watching TV and painting.

“I like to think so.” He leans over the railing.

Ryker motions to the door. “What’s Del doing?”

“Watercolor painting.” I answered.

“Wow really?” Ryker asked, impressed.

“Oh yeah, Dell and I both love watercolors. I bought her a Paul Ruben’s set which are professional watercolors, she has her regular palate and her glitter palate so she’s good.” I explained as I gestured to show him about the size of it as I lean over the railing next to him so we're almost shoulder to shoulder as we look out over the woods. “The only thing she’ll run out of is the watercolor paper. I suppose I’ll have to go shopping for more supplies.” I smile up at him. “That’s why I asked you for the food help.”

“How long you here for then?” He asks as he turns around, leaning back on the railing with his hands on it, making his broad chest and shoulders jut out and my eyes rake down him again as my mouth goes dry as I realize he’s asked me a question I should be answering as I once again mirror his body language by turning around and leaning back on the railing but I loosely cross my arms over my belly a little self consciously.

“Uhm-” I try to collect my thoughts. “Honestly I don’t know. I haven’t heard from the mechanic yet. It could be a day or two or a week if the car is salvageable and if it isn’t I’ll just have my parents drive my other car down and I’ll finish my vacation in that but it doesn’t have air conditioning. So I don’t know.” I shrug. “Granted if I have to I’ll just spend my whole vacation here and I told my parents and my inlaws I’d be two to three weeks.” I amend.

“Oh,” he blinks before his grin grows into a full blown smile. “That’s plenty of time, we can find a way to work something out, I’m sure.” He offers and my heart is back to a hummingbird pace.

“Del likes it here, so I think we’ll find a way to pass the time.” A smile spreads across my face. “Just gotta research the town a bit and see what we can get into here.”

“Well Hearthway has lots to do. There’s the big park, I’m sure Del would like that. There’s South Paw lake you can take her to and go swimming or the community pool if you prefer, there’s trails galore you could go hiking, there’s a place that has horses and horse back riding lessons you could ride and take on the trails. There’s going to be day camp for kids coming up really soon, Billy and his family started it a few years back. Kids go there and get to do crafts and all sorts of stuff. I’m sure if you asked Billy he’d let Del join in.” Ryker offers.

“Really?” I gasp. “She would love that!”

“I’m sure you could find ways to preoccupy yourself with other stuff too.” Ryker’s words has my insides feeling like pudding.

“Yeah well,” I chuckle softly. “I’ve been trying to do that for a year now.”

Ryker furrows his brow and tilts his head. “A year?” Ryker repeats.

I open my mouth as I try to decide what excuse to give. I then sigh and shake my head, deciding I would be blunt about it. “Michael, my husband and Del’s father- had his heart attack almost a year ago and passed away and it’s been a bit of a challenge to figure out what to do with myself, I quit my dayjob and completely focused on Del and getting her through this while I try to figure out how to get myself through it too.” I bite down on my cheek as I see the expression that washes over his face and I can see he has several things going on at once in his mind and I give him a moment to try to ask me something but he can’t seem to settle on anything. “But Del and I are fine, we go to therapy regularly, we’re both artists and we both like working with watercolors, acrylics and clay as our creative outlets and thankfully Michael thought ahead and planned ahead and had life insurance policies at work and then had a private one too so financially we’re fine, we’re not destitute or anything and every day it gets a little easier. But it’s best that we find ways to move on and heal. That’s what this whole vacation was about. I wanted to show Del we could move on, move forward and embrace something new without feeling like we’ve abandoned the old, that as long as we had each other, we’d be ok, and we are.” I assured him.

“You’re so young, I can’t imagine,” he whispers. “I’m so sorry, Zara.”

I shake my head. “It’s ok, really.” I then laugh. “I’m not all that young. I’m 33. I was 19 when I married Michael and I was 25 when I had her and that was after three years of trying too.” I explained as Ryker blinked in surprise before he just had this warm reassuring smile that makes me feel like I’m melting again.

“Well, if you need anything while you’re here, you have my number, don’t be afraid to use it.” He runs his fingers through his thick hair. “Oh but, the food,” he chuckles. “So, are you a good cook?” He asks curiously.

“Well I’m no michelin star chef,” I tease as Ryker barks a laugh and shakes his head. “But I like to think I’m fairly decent, I believe in the four food groups, butter, bone marrow, bacon grease and lard and one does not get this pudgy only eating salad.” I joke as I grab and jiggle my pudgy belly for emphasis as Ryker busts out laughing having nodded in agreement to my sentiments. “But seriously, even I’m banging my head against a wall with Del. She used to be a such a great adventurous eater and once Michael passed, she did a 180 and now she only wants to eat the foods Michael liked and Michael had one hell of a narrow food palate. I don’t know if that’s one of the ways she’s choosing to grieve or what but all it’s been for the last year has been lots and lots of chicken, pork, beef and venison. In that order because he liked to hunt and she thinks deer chili is better than beef. But we’ve eaten the last of it now and I’m uncomfortable accepting any other “sources” of it.” I explained.

“Sources?” Ryker repeated in confusion.

“Michael’s friends who also hunt who now think they have a shot with me to get at Michael’s life insurance money, which they all have allusions of grandure as to how much I have and they want Michael’s stuff and live the idyllic life he seemingly led with me because and I quote “ I was their gold standard for a wife” while I was married to Michael and to them I say “Fuck off.” Because they’re all losers who I have absolutely no interest in, they’re repulsive to me because they did see Michael be an asshole to me and they would just laugh at his “jokes” at my expense and there is no way in hell I’m putting up with anything like that ever again and they can go to hell.” I reassured him which he beamed so proudly at me back.

“Well, how about this?” He claps his hands together and rubs his palms together. “You go and stock up on groceries for your time here, and I have tomorrow off. I can come over and show you some tips and we’ll take it from there.”

“Really?” I gasp in awe, a bright excited smile blooming on my face, lighting it up like sunshine itself.

“Yeah, really,” he says with a grin.

“Let me pay you,” I quickly offer. “I can’t let you do that for nothing.”

He shakes his head. “No way. Not often I get to show off my skills to a willing audience, much less a more deserving one.” he grins.

“Well, I’m a licensed massage therapist!” I counter. “Therapeutic and medical massage,” my cheeks burn. “I can give you a massage in payment. I'm licensed and everything.” I offer coyly.

A shy smile flickers over his face. “A massage? Really? Would I have to get naked?”

I lose my breath for a moment at the thought. “Not unless you’d want to be, you’d be covered with sheets and blankets and stuff. I would just have to tell my mom to pack my table and supplies in the trunk,” I squeak.

“Never had a massage,” he says thoughtfully. “Ok, sure. One massage for cooking lessons it is!” Ryker agrees before Del sees us and comes outside.

“Hey! What are you doing here?” Del asks as she tilts her head.

“I thought I saw a wolf and freaked out like a spaz.” I admitted.

“Well there are wolves around so it’s ok. Your mom said you’ve been painting.” Ryker quickly changes the subject.

“Yeah, let me show you!” Del invites him in by taking his hand and dragging him into the house before she has him sit down on the sofa with her.

“Wow! You painted this?” Ryker exclaims as he sees the works of art and is impressed by Del’s skills as Del started talking his ear off and showing him her old sketches but before we know it, he has to leave to go into to work and we have a wolf reserve to visit.

And they do bring out the baby wolves who are cuter than a bug’s ear. So fluffy. After that I get a call from the mechanic, and the car is toast. Like it’ll cost more to repair it than it’s worth. So I tell him to scrap it and I call my parents and tell them the change of plans and to drive my camaro down because I know that won’t fail me which they agree to then I shoot a quick text to Ryker and inform him of the changes. Part of me really wants to see the look on Ryker’s face when he sees the car. I want him to like it. Hell even Michael knew it was a “panty dropper” and it was. Maybe, just maybe, if I’m really lucky, it might do that again. Hopefully.

After we visit the reserve we head to Big Billy’s and I explain the new situation and now instead of renting the cabin for $65 a night, we now get to rent it for $100 a week, another ‘kid and bad luck discount’ which I won’t argue with and Del gets signed up for the kids camp which she is ecstatic to start that weekend, then we head to the grocery store which is amazing, packed with everything I could possibly want or need and I go nuts because if Ryker is coming over tomorrow, I’m going to show him my best dishes and hopefully he’ll like them. The only thing I notice that is strange is that there isn’t a meat section, there’s a seafood section though. An employee tells me the reason is because of the local butcher shop, it has a monopoly on the meat in town.

Del and I then go to the butcher’s shop to pick up meat. Inside it’s like a little deli, very cute and quaint. The man behind the counter looks like an angel in a painting. His hair is platinum white and he has the most amazing gray eyes.

“You’re new!” He says brightly. “What can I get you?”

“Hi, uhm, yes,” I chuckle. “We’re on a surprise vacation here. I just need to pick up a few things to get us through the week.” I say.

“Well good, we’re happy to have you, my name is Adam,” He offers his hand for a handshake which I readily shake.

“Zara Norris, pleasure to meet you and this is my daughter Delilah, Del for short,” I reply. Something about him makes me feel comfortable, like he’s the world’s friendliest puppy. And I look over his selection and my jaw drops and my mouth waters. He has the usual, chicken, pork and beef and a wide variety of fresh sausages. But he also has mutton, lamb and goat too, plus game meat! Pheasant, boar, venison, rabbit, duck, goose and turkey, both wild and domestic. I want it all. That employee wasn’t joking when they said this place had the monopoly. They even have charcuterie in addition to the lunch meats and cheeses. I’m in heaven. So I get a bit of everything.

After shopping, Del takes a bath using the bath bombs she’s brought with her in the big claw foot tub in my rooom as I’m putting the groceries away I hear something strange. I look around for a moment then hear something outside again. I go to the sliding glass door and push back the curtains which I had closed before we left, sitting in the trees beyond the porch I see a massive wolf. This one looks different than the one I saw earlier, this one is mostly black with bright blue eyes, almost husky-ish but still very wolf.

I nearly scream but I keep myself quiet since I don’t want to freak Del out and I have to keep my own emotions in check because I don’t want to have another panic attack and start shocking again. I’m not sure what to do, I just stand there staring at it, breathing heavily, afraid that if I move my eyes away, it’ll vanish. The wolf gazes back at me with eyes so blue it makes me break out in goose flesh. It lifts its head then rises from the ground and I watch as it walks towards me and I can only hope it can’t break through the glass.

“Can we talk?” It says.

I almost pass out but I shock, my whole body spasming and jerking as I cry out and whimper before I bend over and lean against the glass and try to catch my breath before I look up to see it’s in a submissive pose on the back porch before it tries making itself smaller by crawling on its belly towards me slowly, it’s tail tucked between its legs and it’s whining like it’s the one in pain.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you, it’s ok, I’ll never hurt you I swear on my life, please, Zara,” it murmurs. “I don’t want you to be scared especially of me, that’s why I’m doing this now.” The wolf backs away as far away from me while still being on the porch before it slowly stands up on his hind legs, his body, taking on a more human shape and I suddenly realize it’s not a wolf wolf, it’s a werewolf. And it knows my name.

Against all reason, I take it for it’s word and manage to recover and I bravely open the door and step out onto the porch but slide the door shut behind me.

“I’m sorry I…” he huffs. “I wanted to do this right, but I didn’t want to scare Del or you, especially you. I also didn’t want to force something on you if you weren’t ready.” It explains.

I furrow my brow as I look at them and suddenly it clicks, the voice. “Ryker?” I whisper before I slowly start to walk over to him. “What’s-” I look around in a panic. “What the hell is going on?”

“Let me explain.” He walks up onto the porch. “Hearthway Hollow, it’s much more than what it looks like,” he says with a gentle voice.

“Wait. That wolf I saw this morning?” I realize and put two and two together. I’m an idiot.

“It was Shahan,” he says.

“Is everyone here a werewolf?” I ask curiously.

Ryker sighs and nods his head. “Let me explain, please.” He smiles gently at me. “It’s a long story.”

We end up sitting on the stairs of the porch, talking for a long time. He tells me how Hearthway Hollow is a sanctuary for werewolves, a place where they can find a home and not have to hide. There is a tradition when a ware finds their mate, one that requires consent at all costs. The ritual includes the ware going hunting and leaving dead animals for their intended to show that they can provide for them and their family. But since I had Del, Ryker didn’t want to scare her, let alone me. He decided to come to me, as he was, and explain everything to me and I’m so grateful, so so grateful he did and the longer he talks, the more human he looks, at least in his top half.

“The moment I saw you in the restaurant I was absolutely floored,” he whispers. “But you had a kid, and a wedding ring and I thought for sure I missed my chance. But-” he laughs softly. “This morning, I was so excited when you messaged me I literally fell out of bed and hit my head and then when you called in a panic, I panicked and I had to fight not to shift to come running over and risk scaring you even more than I already have.” He looks at me with sad, soft eyes. “You just lost your husband. I didn’t want to force something on you and Del like this. Besides, you’re not going to be here long.” Ryker sighed sadly.

“I’m not-” I hesitate and sigh. “I don’t think I’m worth it, Ryker.”

He stares at me in shock. “What?”

I sigh tiredly. “You’re a bit younger than I am, you have all kinds of possibilities ahead of you and you could get anyone you wanted and trust me, I have been through the ringer. I have...let’s just say that I’m obviously not mint in box.” I try to explain delicately.

“No one is,” he scoffs.

“Listen,” I hold his hands in my own. “You deserve better than this, better than me.” I tell him and my heart breaks and my voice cracks. “I’m a widow with enough baggage to fill a jumbo jet. I’m a single mom to a precocious but supremely spoiled child. She is the only grandchild on both sides of my family. Not to mention the laundry list of health problems I have so much more than those migraines and the conversion disorder- I have Crohn’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, I’m manic bipolar, I have depression and anxiety and PTSD. I’m basically six kinds of crazy. I’m not great with money and the only reason I’m doing as good as I am is because Michael was and his father helped me with the life insurance policies so I didn’t blow it all already. I don’t want you to get your hopes up. I said that Michael’s friends thought I was the gold standard but that’s only because they don’t really know me. They haven’t seen me at 3am when I’m in the middle of a Crohn’s flare and puking my guts up and I’m dehydrated to the point my veins collapse and they can’t get an IV in and blow every vien they try until my arms are more bruises than anything and they have to resort to a picc line or a port. They haven’t seen me in a manic episode when I blow a thousand dollars on a shopping spree. They haven’t seen me in a suicidal depressive episode when I’ve tried to kill myself via overdose and have to commit me to a suicide center for a week until I snap out of it. Granted I’m on really good meds for the latter so those last two things haven’t happened in years but still. When I say I’m broken and you can do so so so much better than me, I mean it. I’m flattered, I truly am but I can’t help but think you’re better off...” I’m cut off as Ryker kisses me. His lips are soft and warm and I cannot help but be pulled into him.

I meet his kiss, wanting it so badly. It’s been so long, so damn long and he tastes so fucking good! He wraps his arms around me, hugging me to his strong, warm body and I cling to him like he’s my lifeline.

“I think you’re beautiful and definitely worth it. Even if you only have a dollar to your name, I don’t care, I can afford to take care of you and Del, no problem. None of those issues make you any less valuable, especially to me. I’m just sorry you suffer but if I have to spend the rest of my life in and out of hospitals or whatever, I’ll happily do it. You’re an investment, one that I’m happy to make and your love and affection is all the dividends I could ever want or ask for.” he whispers. “And when I look at you I don’t see what you see. I see my mate and to me that’s all that matters, I don’t want anyone but you and if I have to wait, I will, I’ve waited my whole life for you. I’ll wait as long as I need to because you are absolutely worth it. Plus I like Del, she’s funny and a much cooler kid than I think you realize, she’s awesome and if we gotta go slow for her we’ll go slow for her. You being a single mom? That’s not a problem for me, in any way shape or form. You aren’t used and broken like a box of tissues or a toy in a box. You’re a human being who’s lived in the world and this world can be heartless sometimes, no one makes it out unscathed.” he scoffs. “You’re this beautiful, soft, lovely and amazing woman. You’re so strong and resilient for making it this far. Give me a chance to prove it to you. Please.” Ryker pleaded as he holds my face in his hands so he keeps his gaze locked with mine and occasionally wipes the rivers of tears I’m crying away.

I try to hold back the tears but I can’t. I bury my face against his chest and sob deeply. He holds me the entire time, rubbing his hand up and down my back. He kisses the top of my head and buries his face into the crux of my neck and shoulder and when I’m done crying, he wipes away my tears.

“I’m sorry,” I blubber.

“It’s ok,” he whispers. He kisses my cheek then smiles lovingly at me. “Let me court you, while you’re here Zara,” he says gently. “Let me treat you like the queen you are and Del like the princess she is. We’ll figure it out.”

“Ok,” I whisper softly. “But you have been warned,” I sniffle.

“So have you.” He kisses me again. “I don’t intend to let you go so easily. So try all your tricks.” He chuckles.

“Oh yeah, sobbing on your shoulder and telling you all my problems is a great one.” I try to laugh.

Ryker runs his fingers through my hair then cups my cheek. As I gaze into those beautiful blue eyes I realize I may not escape Hearthway Hollow and if I do, I probably won’t be gone for very long.

#Hearthway Hollow #thank you Momo for letting me post this #and putting up with me #and being patient with me #and kind and loving and understanding and willing to work with me #even tho I sinned #I'm sorry

4 notes · View notes

trujillolauritsen5-blog · 6 years ago

Text

Top 5 Beauty And The Beast Birthday Invitations

youtube

In Wednesday night's 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Fightin's faithful didn't have to wait long to get pumped. Jimmy Rollins, the "table setter" for this Phillies lineup, led off the game with a home run. He started the party early, and the Phils never looked back. Whenever you can shake the nerves and stress of a clinching game right off the bat, it makes everything that much easier. Credit J-Roll with an incredible opening at-bat, which helped loosen the team up. Unless you're lucky you'll have to cut the last tile for it to fit in place. For this you'll need a tile scribe, tile cutter or a wet saw - it really depends on the size of your project. These cutting tools can be purchased or rented depending on your needs. If you reach an obstacle like a shower faucet or a light switch, you might use a tile nipper or a hand saw to cut the required shape in the tile. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamins and minerals and should be included in your meals, because they offer ease a little fiber, which helps constipation. Chicken drumsticks, green beans, jack fruit, grapes, figs, peaches, guavas and phalsa few of these sources. Somebody who understands who they are and also understands what they want. Men will also love to feel wanted and they would like to be able to feel like they are a man. At the same time though, many men will be turned off by women who will want and require them always. A girl would want to show that she is independent and that she knows how to stand her ground. Men actually wish for a woman who is likely to be able to add and not just take. They are drawn to women who make them feel special and wanted, but also they run away from a really overpowering relationship, it is a matter of sense of balance and you do have to uncover that place where you could stand on your own. You may not realize, but the potatoes are natural home remedies for glowing skin and bright. To clear up your skin and reduce dark spots and scars, apply potato juice on your face. Raw potato is also very useful to reduce tanning and sunburn. Potato has natural bleaching effect, which can brighten up your skin so that your skin needs and brings a glow to the skin. So rub a potato on your face every day to shine, to get the skin clean and clear. Bathroom soap dishes are a simple and affordable way to add some style to your bathroom. Some people do not believe that the bathroom should even be decorated but people who are remodeling their homes and are looking for luxury know that the bathroom counts for men and women alike! Bathroom soap dishes not only add beauty to the room but they are also extremely functional. But one thing that you really should not do is when you complain about how someone looks without having the common decency of fixing the same thing with yourself. If you are going to give someone a piece of advice about their haircut then you should have a great haircut yourself. Do not speak of things outside your league. This is where common sense is most important. It is quite often that someone would come up and challenge you in something that you know very well how to do. If you were one who is daring and open to challenges then you will accept it, but if you had known that this person is not even in your league you would decline the challenge with a smile on your face only to save them the embarrassment. https://www.facebook.com/suckhoetuthiennhienhieuqua/ https://www.instagram.com/meochamsocda/ https://www.pinterest.com/meochamsocda/ https://trello.com/suckhoetuthiennhien https://twitter.com/meochamsocdatu1?lang=en https://gab.com/meochamsocdatuthiennhien

1 note · View note

italicwatches · 7 years ago

Text

Comic Girls - Episode 01

Oh, fuck it. I was gonna watch this sooner or later, and while I have a lot of options on the board, I really want some craft anime right now, and I’ve got a good action/slice-of-life back and forth rhythm going too. So anyways let’s watch some girls make manga and probably have plausibly deniable romantic feelings towards each other. It’s Comic Girls, episode 01! Here we GO!

-We begin, at…A crosswalk, in Fukushima, on a quiet day. A small pink-haired moeblob sits in a car, being driven along, until a cherry blossom hits her cheek. She is very pink and very moeblob. …And then she learns that her latest manga submission did badly, when the editor gives her a call. How badly, you might ask?

-She’s bottom of the pack. The readers hate the art, the plot, the writing, and think the author can’t write high school girls worth jack shit. So our moeblob, having gotten dropped off from the car, just straight up collapses. Alas, poor Kaos-sensei, who cannot write high school girls despite being a high school girl.

-I’m not entirely sure how she ends up at the steps of a shrine, with a small army of stray cats coming to comfort her. The editor can tell this girl has potential, but god, she needs such thicker skin if she is ever going to survive…And there’s only one way to get her through a crucible without her cracking.

-Hard cut to some other girl getting a similar offer. Why yes, it’s an all-female manga artist dorm. This girl, a very free and loose blonde who…I think…Is she eating three parfaits at once? So suffice it to say she thinks this possibility over long and hashe’ll do it!

-Then we have two more girls…Who are also high school aged.

-Really.

-I just…Like, you’re putting them all in their own dorm. The entire point is they’re all working professionals, or trying to break into the industry. Considering I’ve seen about three different uniforms, I’m pretty sure we’re not going to spend any time actually going to anyone’s school.

-So what purpose does making them high schoolers serve at this point?! Ohhh my god just take me back to anime about working adults in an industry. New Game was total fluff but at least it wasn’t trying to have its schoolgirl cake and eat it too.

-Sorry, sorry, back to the show. These girls are further along the path, with one just getting serialized, and the other still deep in the grind by the sounds of it. Also they’re already tenants at the dorm.

-…So the moeblob’s a secret pervert.

-Okay that’s not entirely fair. We cut to Kaos that night, and she has tons of slightly ecchi heroine figurines in her room, and is getting all “mweeheehee” about being in an all-female manga artist dorm. Now let’s peer into her mental image of what it’ll be like! Yeah she could never survive in a stylish environment like that. Let’s try again the next morning! What if they’re all super intense serious artists? She’d crack there, too. But maybe they’re all a bunch of impassioned nerd rookies like her? A bunch of rookies all getting rejection letters every day would just be depressing.

-…Aaaand she just missed her train because she was lost in her own head. Alas, poor Kaos.

-And that’s how she ends up hauling her schoolbag, with her laptop in it, and her Rintiq tablet, down the road the old fashioned way. Wait, a Rintiq? Jesus, she has a totally-not-Cintiq? Did she just splurge All The Holiday Money, or do her parents believe in her dream that much? Like, shit, I thought I was super lucky when I got my entry-level DSLR at her age, and that was like half to a third of the price and was at a time when we were making money hand over fist.

-Oh and it’s at the top of a hill, too. Or perhaps I should say, she started at the bottom of several hills. But eventually, she makes it…And sees the landlady…And has a panic. Especially when she’s seen as a small tiny grade schooler and not the serious high school girl she insists she is. And the landlady just, isn’t, hearing it. …You know, I almost made a joke at the start about our moeblob not knowing how high school girls act because she was only in middle school.

-Also it turns out that the dorm is going to get a top-to-bottom remodeling in about a year, so there’s a timer. This iteration of the dorm isn’t long for this world something something high school experience cherry blossoms SYMBOLISM

-Anyways the blonde from before is Kaos’s new roommate and she gives zero fucks. And Kaos did not expect to be sharing her room with anyone. Meet Koyume, who has already gotten out the snacks and the paper and the pencils and really what else do you need? So Kaos’s real name is Moeta Kaoruko. …I’m sticking with Kaos. You need all the help to sound cool that you can get. Oh and Kaos gets all teary-eyed.

-“I’m sorry! Do you not like donuts?” Look if this kid doesn’t like donuts I am OUT.

-No she just doesn’t know how to handle being treated like a cute little moeblob. …How are you not used to it. Look at you. You’re 3 feet tall and your hair is pink with overly elaborate cross-pattern decorations in it. There’s no way.

-Eventually things calm down and we see the core problem Kaos is facing. In short, she lacks good anatomical studies. And if she tries to use her own body…Well, 3 foot tall moeblob. Great for bubbly comedy. Bad when you’re trying to draw a stylish, gorgeous high school girl, the kind of girl who could get scouted for a modeling job. She just ended up looking like a Mario Bros. movie goomba.

-Contrast Koyume’s problem, which is that she’s great at drawing cute girls, but terrible at drawing handsome boys. And she’s a shoujo romance artist. …So that’s not great. She just has no experience with guys to draw on… I mean, there’s an easy solution to that, Koyume. It’s called yuri and it’s the hottest new trend. You take a girl, and you have her fall in love… With a girl. (Or sometimes a bear.)

-But yeah both of them got pegged hard for their limitations by their editors, and so ended up here, and Kaos’s panic has Koyume panicking and soon they’re both just holding each other and sobbing. HEY! No crying in the dorm!

-Actually they meet the two senpais from before. And cling desperately to these two who Made It. So here’s Irokawa Ruki, the purple haired one who just got her porn serialized, and Katsuki Tsubasa, who has blue hair and is an intense shonen manga artist. Did I say porn? Yeah Ruki draws ecchi and freaks out about this tiny infant baby hearing such things. Kaos is not handling being treated like a mascot very well…Which is when Ruki gets ideas of what could be done putting the kid in a costume. Terrible, terrible ideas.

-Ignore her. So what has you two freaking out? Koyume got a debut and freaked out about not getting popular enough to survive…Stop, stop right there. The goal is not to be the best, or at the top of the charts. The goal is to get to keep drawing manga. You did well enough to debut. You have enough potential that your editor thought coming here was worth doing. Buckle down, work hard, and prove them right! The only way to achieve your ideal is to draw, draw, draw, with passion and fire! I knew there was a reason to like Tsubasa. And now, off they go.

-To their room, where Ruki is all trying to convince herself not to do things to that sweet innocent moeblob, and Tsubasa’s got inking to do. But she’s also really intrigued by firing up some rookies, even if they’re technically the same age.

-And soon that first night calms, and settles. Food is prepared, Kaos gets some time in the bath, and she’s left able to slowly process her doubts…Until the landlady reveals that the kitchen opens RIGHT to the bath so she can just summon everyone to food. Kaos has a panic.

-Episode 01: “I Got the Worst Results on the Survey!?”

-Okay, cut to time for bed! Koyume is gushy about Tsubasa being so strong and manly. Again, yuri. Kaos is already thinking of how Ruki seems like everything Kaos wants to be. Experienced, cool, stylish, curvy, attractive, makes her feel funny in her girl parts…(Wait, what was that last one? Stylish. Uh huh, sure thing.)

-Also they both get to thinking about what a real serialized pro’s room might look like…And that’s how they end up going over to see Ruki and Tsubasa’s workspace. It’s…Well, I mean, it’s a room. And Tsubasa is busy working to meet her deadlines, as Ruki gets ready to give one last push, putting her hair up and stuff…Which is when our rookies remember the whole porn thing and go looking for Ruki’s stash. Ah HA, what’s this lewd cosplay school uniform?!

-Her, her actual uniform.

-And all these rabbits?! Kaos knows rabbits mate like, like rabbits! Ruki, just, just like rabbits, you guys. Koyume wants to know where’s the perverted research material for drawing perverted manga?! Kaos counters that Koyume shouldn’t judge, maybe Ruki is just such a good pervert she can draw right out of her darkest fantasies without inspiration material!

-Ruki would like out of this now please.

-In fact, Kaos bets that under those baggy clothes, Ruki is super busty! Wait how did we even…Koyume wants to find out for herself and get a feel! And that’s how she goes for Ruki’s chest and finds it surprisingly padded and Kaos starts drawing the scene in front of her for lack of other ideas. How did we even get here. But the girls are finally made to apologize…

-And Ruki’s life story comes out. She sent in a manga about cute animals aimed at hitting the kid’s market. But her drawings of the human protagonist were so unintentionally erotic that she ended up getting sent to their 18+ division instead of their sad-onion division and serialized under the pen name Big Boobies <3 Himeko. She’d quit or start over, but now she has fans looking up to her, and their heartfelt admiration make her keep pushing. Big Boobies <3 Himeko-sensei, you’re really cool!

-Of course, with all of that, Tsubasa is behind the clock, and so soon everyone’s pitching in to try and do what they can to help…And so Tsubasa gives the rookies the tones to do, a classic grunt-labor job. Except she’s so deep into the weeds that she’s not unhooking what things like “unleash the dark energy” mean for her standard approach. Good news, Koyume knows what to do. Bad knows, Kaos doesn’t.

-But it’s because Koyume has fallen in love with Tsubasa’s manly manly charm. Anyways, thus begins the raw grind to get this chapter DONE. Koyume is doing really well, and is swiftly lost in Tsubasa’s praise. While Kaos is quietly freaking out because she’s going way slower. Not only is she less experienced, but Kaos learned digitally, and so dealing with all the analog tools is a whole new process for her. Aaaand that’s how she ends up messing up the panel. Oh god, oh god, get the white ou—THAT JUST DRIPPED AT THE WRONG SPOT

-…Kid you’re freaking out. Back up. Back up and breathe. Kaos falls into despair…But okay, this can all be fixed. Tsubasa just gets FULL SERIOUS, which also lets out a little bit of her old chuuni side. When she needs to totally concentrate, she inevitably ends up in cosplay of the characters. Whether that means we’ll be seeing more costumes, or if eyepatch and cape is just her Concentration Outfit, remains to be seen.

-Either way, Koyume is incredibly attracted to this serious stern look, as Tsubasa quickly fixes the lifework and gives Kaos a quick pick-me-up for her hard efforts. Koyume wants that kind of praiiiiise. …Oh god look at the clock. It’s time to get EVEN MORE SERIOUS!

-How do you get more serious than cosplay? First, by wielding the legendary three-pen style, like Manganora Zoro-sensei. Then, by TAKING OFF THE COSPLAY! Wait but then…

-Alright back to the grind. Kaos pushes hard, and is also starting to see…Just how far she might come if she stays here with these pros…Also she makes another mistake and Tsubasa has to fix it. Apologize when the chapter’s submitted, not before!

-And eventually, eventually, with the sun ready to rise, it’s DONE. Tsubasa flips through, confirms, and promptly lays down on the ground to collapse into unconsciousness. There’s a ton of passionate, intensity and yet kindness in this girl…It’s no wonder she’s able to draw shonen manga like she does…While Kaos here is just, so nervous, and awkward, and full of doubt, and she’ll never have any friends…

-Stop, stop right there. The dark inner thoughts are coming out. Also Koyume already considers you a friend. Ruki just needs more time to get to know Kaos, and Tsubasa is mumbling stuff about comrades in her sleep. The point is, you’ve got people on your side, rookie.

-Eventually, everyone’s just done, strewn out around the floor and trying to catch a few precious hours of sleep…

-Until that afternoon, when Kaos can confirm to her editor that she’s making new friends and feels like she’s making real progress! That’s good, that’s good. …What’s not good is your latest manuscript which is just not up to snuff to be put into the magazine as a one-off. Sorry kid.

-Credits!

…That got more dense than planned. And I didn’t even spend time detailing processes! We’ll see if things loosen up now that I’m not having to introduce everyone next time, in episode TWO of Comic Girls. Wait for it!

#where I watch #recap #anime #comic girls

1 note · View note

uigchloe26797949-blog · 5 years ago

Text

Fancy Gown Tips For Enjoyable And Affordable Party Costumes

Have you been invited to a fancy costume party? Are you misplaced for ideas of what to put on or the place to get a costume? Attending a fancy costume get together can appear like a demanding expertise nevertheless it certainly shouldn't be; selecting a fancy costume costume is fun and affordable! The first step is to seek out out if there is a specific theme or dress code, normally there will likely be a decade to dress from or a certain social gathering costume idea. Whether or not it's a Wild West party or 70s Punk Renaissance, its essential to know what sort of occasion costume is predicted. Now, that is where the enjoyable comes, deciding what to go as! When you have been given a theme, then clearly it's good to explore the options. If it's a Wild West social gathering, you do not should limit your self to dressing as a cowboy, you may go as a native Indian or a Mexican bandit.

When enthusiastic about fancy dress it's at all times more fun to be a bit of bit completely different. If you loved this information and you would love to receive details concerning anchor3 please visit our own site. In case you do determine to go as a cowboy, it generally is a very easy and inexpensive fancy dress costume. Purchase a cowboy hat and all it is advisable to do is raid the closet for a chequered shirt, a pair of denims and a tea towel for a neckerchief! It is easy, cheap, and looks the half. If you have a expertise for arts and crafts, you may even make your own accessories. For example, to make a sheriff's badge, all you need is some foil and cardboard. If there is no such thing as a designated party theme, then you really can let your imagination go wild. There are endless choices to choose from, and lots of social gathering costumes are low-cost and simple to put together. With the summer blockbuster season in full circulate, you may draw inspiration from the large hits. With Jack Sparrow's newest look within the third Pirates of the Caribbean film, pirates are very fashionable. You will discover many reasonably priced pirate costumes on-line at websites equivalent to Occasion Area, or you can also make your own.

Recent Hollywood superhero blockbusters have additionally made Spiderman, Batman and other superhero characters well-liked for fancy dress, you may browse on-line to see fancy gown ideas. If you want to be more authentic together with your fancy costume costume, you really can let your thoughts run wild! Virtually something can be turned into a occasion costume, just looking the costumes on-line can inspire you. A cardboard field and some poster paints flip the partygoer right into a walking tv, you'll have everyone's consideration on the occasion! Alternatively, put on some green clothing, blow up some purple balloons, stick them across your physique and you are remodeled into a bunch of grapes! Thinking outdoors the field really can provide you with totally different and daring fancy gown concepts! If you get caught for ideas, ask some pals, whom together with numerous silly concepts might simply provide you with a terrific fancy gown concept on your get together or event. Lastly, if you continue to have not found a fancy dress costume for you, a simple and inexpensive method to create a party costume 'in an instant' is to purchase a fancy gown mask. American President, Hollywood actor or Rock star with little or no expense and offer you plenty of fun! It's most likely easiest to choose a couple of characters, verify your wardrobe for clothing applicable for them after which buy the mask. This manner you keep away from shopping for a mask then realising you won't have the costume clothing to go together with the character.

The primary main step in solidifying a theme for a kids's get together includes the ever-necessary birthday invitations. You may choose a theme ahead of time and find birthday invitations to match, or choose a fun birthday invitation and later resolve to construct a theme round it. But, throwing a great themed youngsters's get together entails a lot more than simply a fantastic concept and the precise birthday invitations. Selecting sweet and stylish birthday invitations to match your theme is a superb technique to kick off your occasion planning, however, in actuality, finding a theme and acceptable birthday invitations to match characterize solely the tip of the iceberg. Once you buy, personalize and ship your themed birthday invitations, you still should determine which decorations, meals and games will match the theme without being too tacky or overwhelming. The following tips will allow you to navigate the tough path between establishing your theme with the right themed birthday invitations and actually pulling off the proper themed celebration!

First, it is advisable to resolve where your occasion will be and what decorations you will have to ascertain your theme. If you choose a thematic location, you can keep decorations to a minimum. A pirate social gathering at the seashore, as an illustration, will not require many decorations to take care of the integrity of the theme. Neither will a roller-skating get together at the local rink or a soccer-themed party at your neighborhood park. If your party is at dwelling, think about using inventive foods that match your themed birthday invitations to determine your theme. That way, you may limit yourself to only some key decorations, which is able to help guarantee you will not go overboard. If you're having a fairy tale social gathering, as an illustration, use pixie sticks and candied apples for a playful impact. Or, for a cowboy cookout, make franks and beans the stars of the show! Should you make artistic use of the meals at your themed occasion, you possibly can free up more of your time and budget to provide you with enjoyable decorations. Rework your house into a fireplace station with a printed sign over your entrance door, a painted Styrofoam firefighter pole and some noticed Dalmatian stuffed animals. Or, turn your residing room into a circus by pinning strips of brightly coloured fabric from the ceiling and partitions to make it appear like you might be inside a tent! Themed parties will be an important way to celebrate your child's large day. Simply remember to keep your give attention to the food and some simple decorations to guantee that your entire ballerina, football and superhero themed events finish with smiles!

0 notes

the-record-newspaper · 6 years ago

Text

MerleFest draws 75,000

MerleFest, presented by Window World, has officially come to a close, but not without a number of electric collaborations, spontaneous sit-ins, and world-class performances.

Wynonna & The Big Noise, Amos Lee, Tyler Childers, Sam Bush Band, Brandi Carlile, and The Avett Brothers all brought extra MerleFest energy to the Watson Stage, marking another successful year for the long-running festival.

Early estimates show that from its start on Thursday, April 25, to its close on Sunday, April 28, participation over the festival’s four days exceeded 75,000 attendees and artists from across the world.

MerleFest, held on the campus of Wilkes Community College, is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, which funds scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.

“We’ve had an incredible weekend,” Festival Director Ted Hagaman said. “With over 100 artists on 13 stages over the four days, we again feel we succeeded in providing a quality and successful event for all involved. Preliminary numbers show we attracted thousands of fans from all over the world. We appreciate their support. This event could not happen without the work and dedication of our 4,500-plus volunteers and the many great safety and service agencies in Northwestern North Carolina. We’re already looking forward to MerleFest 2020.”

Thursday

Chatham County Line kicked off the 32nd annual MerleFest with a big “newgrass” bang. At the top of their game, Raleigh-based Chatham County Line appeared right at home on one of the biggest stages their home state has to offer. After Thursday’s sunset, Wynonna Judd and her band, The Big Noise, set about conjuring up enough rock and roll, blues, and country juju to knock the first-day crowd right off their feet. Once the crowd had recovered, the ones left with enough energy to carry on into the wee hours were treated with more electric boogie music in the form of Donna The Buffalo. Sporting dancey rhythms and electric improvisation, Donna proved to be the ultimate weekend ice-breakers, encouraging the late night crowd to let loose during their First Night Dance on the Bojangles’ Dance Stage.

Friday

Before the sun had set on Friday, patrons were treated to show-stopping sets from the likes of Texas troubadour Radney Foster, Boston-based bluegrassers Mile Twelve, and the soft folk harmonies and humorous musings of The Milk Carton Kids. Upon the close of the Chris Austin Songwriting Competition, festival first-timer Amos Lee took the Watson Stage with his unique blend of soulful Americana.Tyler Childers closed out the Watson Stage with his now famous concoction of mountain music, old school country, and 1960s The Band-ish rock and roll. Under the bright stage lights, Childers rollicked through songs off of his award-winning 2017 album “Purgatory” to the delight of fans, some of whom had traveled to MerleFest on Childers’ merit alone. During Childers’ set, eclectic folk rockers Scythian set up in the Dance Tent for their second set of the day, the annual Friday Night Dance. Keeping the night owls rocking until almost midnight, Scythian reminded fans just how fun their music can be.

Saturday

Saturday saw Chris Austin Songwriting Competition winners perform on the Cabin Stage to an audience eager to hear these up-and-coming songwriters before they’ve hit the big time. Now in its 27th year, the contest is an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring writers to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of music industry professionals (Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale, better known as The Milk Carton Kids, Cruz Contreras of The Black Lillies, and Texas-troubadour Radney Foster), under the direction of volunteer contest chairperson, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale.

The first round of the CASC took place in Nashville, Tenn., and was narrowed down from 970 entries to 12 finalists representing four categories: bluegrass, country, general and Gospel/inspirational.

Each of the 12 finalists received admission and lodging for three nights at MerleFest. Finalists attended a workshop Friday morning given by D’Addario prior to the finals. After the contest, all finalists took part in a songwriting mentoring session with Jim Lauderdale and the on-site judges. The first-place winners in each category received $600 cash from MerleFest, a performance at the Cabin Stage on Friday night, and a 20-minute set on Saturday at the Cabin Stage. In addition, the first-place winners received a live performance/recording session with Saloon Studios Live, D’Addario strings, Shubb Capos, and their winning song will be aired on WNCW 88.7. Net proceeds from the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest help support the Wilkes Community College Chris Austin Memorial Scholarship. See below for a complete listing of winners and finalists.

Bluegrass:

1st Place- Anya Hinkle (Asheville) – “Ballad of Zona Abston”

2nd Place- James E. Woolsey (Petersburg, Ind.), David Foster (Petersburg, Ind.) – “Sugar Ridge Road”

3rd Place- Wyatt Espalin (Hiawassee, Ga.) – “Light Coming Through”

Country:

1st Place- Andrew Millsaps (Ararat) – “Ain’t No Genie (In a Bottle of Jack)

2nd Place- Hannah Kaminer (Asheville) – “Don’t Open Your Heart”

3rd Place- Shannon Wurst (Fayetteville, Ark.) – “Better Than Bourbon”

General:

1st Place- Alexa Rose (Asheville) – “Medicine for Living”

2nd Place- Bryan Elijah Smith (Dayton, Va.) – “In Through the Dark”

3rd Place- Wright Gatewood (Chicago, Ill.) – “First”

Gospel/inspirational:

1st Place- Russ Parrish (Burnsville, Minn.), Topher King (Savage, Minn.) – “Washed By The Water”

2nd Place- Ashleigh Caudill (Nashville, Tenn.), Jon Weisberger (Cottontown, Tenn.) – “Walkin’ Into Gloryland”

3rd Place- Kevin T. Hale- (Brentwood, Tenn.) – “We All Die to Live Again”

On Saturday, Molly Tuttle returned to the MerleFest stage for the first time since she won the Chris Austin Songwriting Competition in 2012. A rabid crowd ate up every guitar lick and melody Tuttle played as she continues to push the envelope of what can be played on a dreadnaught guitar. The Waybacks’ annual Hillside Album Hour found the bay-area band covering Led Zeppelin IV in its entirety with Sarah Dugas (formerly of The Duhks) handling most of the vocal duties and Sam Bush, Jens Kruger, Red Young, and Tony Williamson backing them up for yet another memorable Saturday afternoon set. Sam Bush Band lit up the Watson Stage ahead of Brandi Carlile, running through his career-spanning catalog of “New Grass” tunes and closing with his new rousing rock and roll anthem, “Stop The Violence”. Traditional Bluegrass super group Earls of Leicester once again paid excellent homage to the giants of the genre, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. In an era of progression for the genre, the Earls brand of picking reminded the crowd that it’s perfectly OK to stick with tradition from time to time. Brandi Carlile and her band closed out Saturday with her signature songwriting style and vocal fireworks. Drawing from her newest release, “By The Way, I Forgive You,” and then diving deeper into her past works, Carlile and longtime musical partners Tim and Phil Hanseroth belted and whispered in close three-part harmonies well enough to make every last MerleFest attendee’s jaw drop. To close out an already special night, Sunday headliners Seth and Scott Avett of The Avett Brothers joined Carlile around a single mic at the front edge of the Watson Stage and performed the Avett’s “Murder In The City”, drawing a huge reaction from the already stunned crowd.

Sunday

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper introduced Steep Canyon Rangers Sunday afternoon on the Watson Stage. Late last year, Gov. Cooper declared 2019 to be North Carolina’s “Year of Music”, adding, “from bluegrass to the blues, from gospel to funk, from beach music to indie and hip hop, North Carolina is the birthplace of many musical styles and iconic performers.” Gov. Cooper was in attendance for Steep Canyon Rangers’ “North Carolina Songbook” set on the Watson Stage which dove into the rich history of the region’s music, specifically the musical heritage of their—and the festival’s—home state, and solidified their place in MerleFest lore. Bluegrass patriarch and hair-style pioneer Del McCoury celebrated his 80th birthday surrounded by friends, family, and the Del McCoury Band. Del and the boys fired up the Hillside Stage, highlighting his eight-decade milestone with class and style that only the McCourys can provide. North Carolina’s own The Avett Brothers closed out the festival after having joined their father, Jim Avett, for Sunday’s annual Gospel Hour. On the Watson Stage, gladly playing tunes that spanned their almost-two-decade long career, The Avett Brothers had the crowd singing along from the very first line. While many MerleFest patrons have seen the Avetts at the festival before, this performance proved that the brothers and their band have now truly transcended to the next level of much-deserved stardom.

About MerleFest

MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the son of the late American music legend Doc Watson, renowned guitarist Eddy Merle Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of "traditional plus" music, a unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk and gospel, and blues, and expanded to include Americana, classic rock and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its 13 stages during the course of the four-day event. MerleFest has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.

About Window World

Window World®, headquartered in North Wilkesboro, N.C., is America’s largest replacement window and exterior remodeling company, with more than 200 locally owned offices nationwide. Founded in 1995, the company sells and installs windows, siding, doors and other exterior products, with over 15 million windows sold to date. Window World is an ENERGY STAR® partner and its windows, vinyl siding and Therma-Tru doors have all earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. Through its charitable foundation, Window World Cares®, the Window World family provides funding for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, which honored the foundation with its Organizational Support Award in 2017. Since its inception in 2008, the foundation has raised over $8 million for St. Jude. Window World also supports the Veterans Airlift Command, a nonprofit organization that facilitates free air transportation to wounded veterans and their families. Window World has flown over 100 missions and surpassed $1 million in flights and in-kind donations since it began its partnership with the VAC in 2008. For more information, visitwww.WindowWorld.com or call 1-800 NEXTWINDOW. For home improvement and energy efficiency tips, décor ideas and more, follow Window World on Facebookand Twitter.

For more information, visit www.MerleFest.org.

0 notes

janicecpitts · 6 years ago

Text

Outside Deck

Contents

2) basement (2) bathroom

Easy outdoor meals

Practical. remodeling contractors

Triangle remodeling expert

DALLAS, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo, the nation’s largest trade show for all things flame, is underway in Dallas this week just as retailers prepare their spring …

Porch, Deck & Patio. Home Areas Baby Room (2) basement (2) bathroom (4) Bedroom (4) Closet (1) Deck and Patio (228) … A gas, charcoal or electric grill lets you prepare easy outdoor meals on your deck or patio. Pair it with a smoker to take your outdoor cooking to the next level.

Find and save ideas about Backyard deck designs on Pinterest. | See more ideas about Decks, Backyard decks and Patio decks. … Backyard decks and Patio decks. Find and save ideas about Backyard deck designs on Pinterest. | See more ideas about Decks, Backyard decks and Patio decks. …

Choose your materials, colors and add-ons with our Deck Design …. An outdoor deck with two levels, decorated with patio furniture, lattice and potted plants.

Dream Decks and Patios. Whether seeking solitude or a great place for entertaining, find inspiration in these outdoor spaces. Keep in mind: Price and stock …

It’s not too early to start fantasizing about warmer temps, especially because that rise in mercury means the start of Dallas’ favorite pastime: patio season. You should also get a jump on …

Deck Store Calgary Trex Decking Deck Builders Cincinnati BBB Directory of Patios and Decks near Cincinnati, OH. BBB Start with Trust ®. Your guide to trusted bbb ratings,

Spring is almost here and if you love to entertain that means your back patio can finally open for the season. Jack Wills joins Good Day NWA with details on what you can expect at the NWA Home & …

To help guide would-be buyers though hearth product investment, the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association launches #FiresideChats. ARLINGTON, Va., March 11, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — New research …

Dock Pilings For Sale The boats have come in to Sassoon Docks in Colaba, the day’s catch unloaded and ready for sale. Anyone who has gone past street …

Fix up your existing deck or start from scratch – either way, you’ll be enjoying your outdoor deck destination in no time. You’ll find all the decking materials you …

Summer will be here before we know it. Now is the best time to get your outdoor space in tip-top shape with brand new outdoor patio furniture. Whether you want to spruce up your backyard with a brand …

Enhance your outdoor space with design ideas for patios, decks, gardens, outdoor kitchens and bars with stunning pictures from HGTV.

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – The Dubliner Pub & Patio is preparing for what it believes could be its final St. Patrick’s Day celebration before the land is purchased for a road widening project. The N.C. …

Building Deck Stairs Add a decorative touch to the edge of your deck. These easy-to-build stairs are pretty and practical. remodeling contractors Durham Nc Durham, NC, October 17, Remodeling Contractors Durham Nc Durham, NC, October 17, 2013 –(PR.com)– Hosted by custom quality carpentry – the triangle remodeling expert. local remodeling firm, Custom Quality Carpentry, is hosting a Trex Decking Deck Builders Cincinnati BBB Directory of Patios and Decks near Cincinnati, OH. BBB Start with Trust ®. Your guide to trusted bbb ratings, customer reviews

Mar 5, 2019 … Are you ready to build a deck? We’ll help you find the right deck type and design for your outdoor space and offer ideas on where to build it.

Build Your Deck It amazes us that we frequently get long pitch decks or business plans – with no thought given to the impact (or lack of impact)

Outdoor decks can benefit nearly every home. Whether used as a backyard retreat or for entertaining, decks and patios are multifunctional outdoor living spaces. If you’re looking for DIY deck projects, you will find all you need to plan, install, and finish a deck addition in your landscape.

The patio is a precious part of the home. It’s where you can gather to enjoy wonderful weather, set up for a big outdoor party, or use outdoor furniture such as a small patio …

via Check This Out More Resources

#Outside Deck #Skill Trade Contractor

0 notes

the-record-briefs · 6 years ago

Text

Jan. 16, 2019: In other news

MerleFest adds The Avett Brothers, others

The Avett Brothers

MerleFest, presented by Window World, has announced new artist additions for MerleFest 2019: The Avett Brothers, Molly Tuttle, and Sean McConnell. The annual homecoming of musicians and music fans returns to the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, April 25-28. MerleFest is pleased to welcome these three distinguished artists to the 2019 lineup:

The Avett Brothers: The Avett Brothers first made mainstream waves with their 2009 major label debut, I and Love and You, landing at #16 on the Billboard Top 200 and garnering critical acclaim fromRolling Stone, Paste, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, andTime. In 2012, The Carpenterhit #4 on the Billboard Top 200, while People, USA Today, and American Songwriter lauded the album, the band appearing on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE! twice in a few months' time. The eighth studio album, Magpie and the Dandelion, debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top 200 and the band performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman, and accompanied Chris Cornell for a Pearl Jam tribute on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

True Sadness, the record that followed, achieved The Avett Brothers’ highest career debut to date and dominated multiple charts. The Rick Rubin produced album hit #1 on Billboard’s Top Albums Chart, #1 Top Rock Albums Chart, #1 Digital Albums Chart, #3 on the Billboard Top 200 and scored two GRAMMY nominations. The Avett Brothers were inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2016. 2018 brought the HBO premiere of “May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers,” a documentary co-directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio. Days after this debut, True Sadness launched to #3 on the iTunes Album Chart and #1 on the Rock Albums chart. In October of ‘18, The Avett Brothers debuted a new song, “Roses and Sacrifice,” live on Late Night with Seth Meyers and then released the track officially in November ‘18, Rolling Stone calling it a “joyous sing-along.” Also, in November of last year, the band headlined the Concert for Hurricane Florence Relief in Greenville, North Carolina, raising $325,000 to help those affected by Hurricane Florence. The Avett Brothers continue to be revered as one of the top folk-rock acts in the country and will perform on Sunday at MerleFest.

Molly Tuttle: Molly Tuttle speaks softly. Her voice is both lilting and lucid, and when she says that she wants to create music that is truly original and unmistakably hers, her quietness shifts into a steely audacity that’s charming and almost funny––she’s only 25 after all. But then you remember her songs and her playing. And it hits you: brash beautiful originality is exactly what Molly is doing. The 2017 release of her debut EPRise further introduced Molly to a roots music audience who had already enthusiastically embraced and elevated her. Her 2017 and 2018 wins for IBMA Guitar Player of the Year were history-making as the first woman to be nominated for the honor. The accolades kept coming in 2018 when Folk Alliance International’s International Folk Music Awards awarded her Song of the Year for her song “You Didn’t Call My Name,” and she was named Instrumentalist of the Year by the Americana Music Association. With all of this recognition, it might be easy to forget that Tuttle has yet to release a full-length album. Her eagerly-anticipated debut album is scheduled to be released in early 2019 on Compass Records. Molly Tuttle will make her MerleFest debut on Saturday afternoon.

Sean McConnell: “I think embracing the blurry lines is a sign of getting older and just having more life experience,” Sean McConnell says. “It can be healthy to break your own boxes.” Sean is home in Nashville, reflecting on the path he’s taken to recording Secondhand Smoke, his 13th album. A cohesive collection of modern folk music, Secondhand Smoke asks provocative questions about how we become who we are, what and whom we love, and the growth, pain, and freedom that come with accepting that some answers might elude us forever.

Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Brothers Osborne, and more have all recorded his songs. Sean earned his first Number 1 single on the country charts in 2018 with Brett Young’s delivery of “Mercy,” which the two co-wrote. As a performer, he packs listening rooms and quiets unruly bar crowds. His sound––a warm tenor painting vivid stories over acoustic guitar often cushioned by keys or other strings––has prompted a diverse range of music scenes from the storied Boston folk community to Texas’s defiantly self-sovereign camp to warmly claim Sean as one of their own. “My payoff is just making the music,” Sean says, then smiles. “Everything else is bonus.” Sean McConnell performs on Friday at MerleFest.

“We are extremely excited to be adding these artists to an already stellar lineup for 2019. They represent the diverse talent that MerleFest is famous for,” says Ted Hagaman, Festival Director. The three artists announced today join over 75 artists initially announced in November via Rolling Stone Country and the second wave of artists announced last month. Headliners include Wynonna & The Big Noise, Keb’ Mo’, The Earls of Leicester, Sam Bush, Tyler Childers, Brandi Carlile, and Peter Rowan and The Free Mexican Air Force with Los Texmaniacs. The Late Night Jam presented by The Bluegrass Situation will be hosted by Chatham County Line. In addition to the above mentioned artists, the following will be performing at MerleFest ‘19:

American Aquarium, Andy May, Ana Egge & The Sentimentals, AZTEC SUN, Banknotes, Bob Hill, Cane Mill Road, Carol Rifkin, Carolina Blue, Catfish Keith, Charles Welch, Dailey & Vincent, David LaMotte, Dirk Powell Band, Donna the Buffalo, Driftwood, Elephant Sessions, Elizabeth Cook, Ellis Dyson & The Shambles, Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys, Happy Traum, Irish Mythen, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio, Jess Morgan, Jim Avett, Jim Lauderdale, Joe Smothers, Jontavious Willis and Andrew Alli, Junior Brown, Junior Sisk, Larry Stephenson Band, Laura Boosinger, Lindi Ortega, Mark Bumgarner, Mark & Maggie O’Connor, Maybe April, Michaela Anne, Mile Twelve, Mitch Greenhill and String Madness, Nixon, Blevins, & Gage, Pete & Joan Wernick and FLEXIGRASS, Presley Barker, Professor Whizzpop!, Radney Foster, Roy Book Binder, Salt & Light, Scythian, Shane Hennessy, Si Kahn & The Looping Brothers, Steve Poltz, T. Michael Coleman, The Black Lillies, The Brother Brothers, The Gibson Brothers, The Harris Brothers, The InterACTive Theatre of Jeff, The Kruger Brothers, The Local Boys, The Trailblazers, The Waybacks, Todd Albright, Tom Feldmann, Tony Williamson, Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, Wayne Henderson, Webb Wilder, and Yarn.

Additional performers for MerleFest 2019 will be announced in the coming months. The lineup and performance schedule are accessible via MerleFest.org/lineup.

Applications for the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest are now open with entries accepted through Feb. 1. Named after the one-time sidekick of Ricky Skaggs, the contest remembers Chris Austin, a renowned singer and instrumentalist. After Austin lost his life in a tragic plane crash, individuals close to him created CASC to help keep our memory of him and his music alive. An esteemed contest for aspiring songwriters, CASC is credited for helping up-and-coming talent gain exposure. Applicants will have their songs heard by some of Nashville’s most prominent music industry professionals, including host Jim Lauderdale. Categories for consideration include bluegrass, general, gospel, and country. The winners will perform at a showcase during MerleFest on Friday, and first place winners receive $600 in cash and performance slots during the festival. Net proceeds from the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest help support the WCC Chris Austin Memorial Scholarship which has, since its inception, helped 84 students and awarded over $34,600. For more information, please click here.

Tickets for next year’s festival, as well as the Late Night Jam presented by The Bluegrass Situation, may be purchased at www.MerleFest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. MerleFest offers a three-tiered pricing structure and encourages fans to take advantage of the extended early bird discount. Early Bird Tier 1 tickets may be purchased until February 17, 2019 and Early Bird Tier 2 tickets will be available February 18 to April 24. Remaining tickets will be sold at the gate during the festival.

About MerleFest

MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the son of the late American music legend Doc Watson, renowned guitarist Eddy Merle Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of "traditional plus" music, a unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk and gospel and blues, and expanded to include Americana, classic rock and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its 13 stages during the course of the four-day event. MerleFest has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.

About Window World

0 notes

wallpaperpainting · 5 years ago

Text

What I Wish Everyone Knew About What You Need To Paint A Room | what you need to paint a room

Dear Ken: I accept a carriageable evaporative cooler, but it doesn’t accept to do a acceptable job in any room. Can you help? — Pete

How to Paint a Room – what you need to paint a room | what you need to paint a room

Answer: These baby coolers do best aback they accept admission to dry air from alfresco the allowance you’re aggravating to cool. It’s a little like the aerial academy physics conundrum: What happens to the kitchen if you leave the refrigerator open? Of course, the kitchen gets warmer.

In your example, if you set a carriageable acknowledgment in a room, it will access the clamminess to a assertive akin and that’s it. So instead, position it on a window axle or at about table-top acme in the aperture from a allowance with windows.

Dear Ken: We’ve got an earlier fiberglass battery abject that’s beat out, adamantine to apple-pie and stains easily. Can we acrylic it? — Fran

How to Paint a Room (The Correct Order of Operations) – Refresh Living – what you need to paint a room | what you need to paint a room

Answer: Administer some Easy-Off Oven Cleaner (the low-odor blazon in the dejected can). Afterwards an hour or so, abrade it off with a annealed brush. Rinse and echo until it’s clean.

That ability be enough. If not, one of my radio admirers recommends aggravating these two steps: Administer a brace of layers of KILZ or Bulls Eye 1-2-3 primer; afterwards that cures, covering the abject with water-based, SPAR, urethane varnish. He says it’s lasted for months and is accessible to clean.

Dear Ken: I’ve got an old tar-and-gravel roof on my adobe-style abode that was installed abounding years ago. I’d like to accept it looked at to see if it’s OK. Whom do you recommend? — Jack

Painting Supply Checklist ~ What Supplies Do I Need to Paint a .. | what you need to paint a room

Answer: Collapsed (built-up) roofs can be problematic. They breach bottomward in acrid sunshine and usually alpha to aperture aback almost young. You’ll accept to array through beam companies online.

Not all residential companies assignment with collapsed roofs, so you ability end up with a bartering company. I’d calculation on accepting to get a new roof.

The tar-and-gravel arrangement has been replaced by a membrane-style roof. It’s a thick, rubberized blanket — about one allotment — that lasts a continued time and comes with a affection warranty. One blazon I acclaim is alleged adapted bitumen — a aberration of city beam but abundant thicker and tougher.

Interior Painting Tips. What To Paint First When Painting a Room | what you need to paint a room

Dear Ken: We’re putting an action on a abode with a plywood attic in the basement. It’s in an all-embracing adobe area, so we accept this is the acumen for the abnormal floor. What are the problems with this system? — Brad

Answer: These copse floors — abeyant over adobe instead of comatose on it, like accurate — are a acceptable engineering band-aid to affected the furnishings of “hot,” all-embracing soil. We acquisition that we

What I Wish Everyone Knew About What You Need To Paint A Room | what you need to paint a room – what you need to paint a room | Delightful to my personal blog, within this time period I’ll show you about keyword. And from now on, this can be the primary image:

Wall Painting Equipment | The Tools You Need to Paint a Wall – what you need to paint a room | what you need to paint a room

Why don’t you consider picture earlier mentioned? can be in which remarkable???. if you feel so, I’l l teach you a number of picture again down below:

So, if you would like receive all of these fantastic shots related to (What I Wish Everyone Knew About What You Need To Paint A Room | what you need to paint a room), simply click save icon to store these images to your pc. They’re prepared for save, if you love and wish to have it, just click save badge on the article, and it’ll be instantly saved to your desktop computer.} At last if you desire to receive new and recent graphic related to (What I Wish Everyone Knew About What You Need To Paint A Room | what you need to paint a room), please follow us on google plus or save this blog, we attempt our best to give you daily up grade with all new and fresh shots. We do hope you like staying here. For many updates and recent information about (What I Wish Everyone Knew About What You Need To Paint A Room | what you need to paint a room) pics, please kindly follow us on twitter, path, Instagram and google plus, or you mark this page on bookmark area, We try to offer you up grade periodically with all new and fresh pictures, enjoy your searching, and find the ideal for you.

Thanks for visiting our site, contentabove (What I Wish Everyone Knew About What You Need To Paint A Room | what you need to paint a room) published . Nowadays we are pleased to announce that we have found an incrediblyinteresting contentto be reviewed, that is (What I Wish Everyone Knew About What You Need To Paint A Room | what you need to paint a room) Lots of people attempting to find specifics of(What I Wish Everyone Knew About What You Need To Paint A Room | what you need to paint a room) and certainly one of these is you, is not it?

The ONLY paint supplies you need for painting any room in your house! – what you need to paint a room | what you need to paint a room

How To Paint a Room | Painting trim, Diy home improvement, Home diy – what you need to paint a room | what you need to paint a room

Painting 13: Products and Prep Work – First Home Love Life – what you need to paint a room | what you need to paint a room

How to Paint a Room – what you need to paint a room | what you need to paint a room

LiveLoveDIY: How To Paint a Room – what you need to paint a room | what you need to paint a room

How to Paint a Room – Basic Painting Tips – what you need to paint a room | what you need to paint a room

How To Paint a Room | Small room paint, Steps to painting a room .. | what you need to paint a room

How To Paint a Room | Room paint, Remodel bedroom – what you need to paint a room | what you need to paint a room

The post What I Wish Everyone Knew About What You Need To Paint A Room | what you need to paint a room appeared first on Wallpaper Painting.

from Wallpaper Painting https://www.bleumultimedia.com/what-i-wish-everyone-knew-about-what-you-need-to-paint-a-room-what-you-need-to-paint-a-room/

#Painting Easy #what all you need to paint a room #what do you need to paint a room #what do you need

0 notes

antionetterparker · 6 years ago

Text

Ranking the best small business ideas

If you’re ready to leave the 9-to-5 grind in the dust…

You’re in luck.

There’s no better time than now to take control of your life and start your own small business.

In this post, I’m going to show you 22 of the best small business ideas available today.

Most will be easy to get up and running—and give you a good income in a short time. All of them will be fun and interesting…

And give you the satisfaction of being your own boss.

You only need to find one that fits your personality, skills, and experience, and you’ll be set for success.

So let’s get started: the best small business ideas I’m seeing today.

1. Paid ads

There’s definitely money to be made online—if you know how.

And there’s no smarter way than through paid ads.

Every online business needs to find buyers interested in their offers. As a paid ads expert, you’ll provide these businesses an invaluable service—and they’ll pay handsomely if you do your job well.

The top two channels for online ads are Facebook and Google, and you can specialize in one or both.

Here’s how to open shop as a paid ads specialist.

Step 1: Build your portfolio of successful ad campaigns. You need to be able to show real numbers, including ad spend and ROI.

Step 2: Build a website for your paid ads business. Be sure to show off your track record and talk about your ad services.

Step 3: Market your services through advertising, social media, and content marketing, so you can attract a steady stream of high-paying clients.

Example:

com, Justin Brooke

Digital Strategy Boot Camps, Molly Pittman

Best place to learn:

The Complete Guide to Getting Started with Facebook Ads

AdSkills

2. Marketing agency

Ad skills aren’t the only skills businesses need. If you write sales content, do SEO, or create killer funnels—and especially if you’re skilled at all of them—you can set up shop as a marketing agency.

As a marketing agency, you can work alone or with a team that rounds out your expertise. You can also be the strategist, coming up with the ideas and outsourcing the work.

How you operate your agency is entirely up to you.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Build a portfolio of A-level marketing campaigns—including the stats to prove your campaigns generate results.

Step 2: Build a website explaining who you, what you do, and who your services will benefit. (You can be a full-stack marketing agency or specialize in one particular skill.)

Step 3: Create a lead generation funnel with a tool like Clickfunnels, blog about marketing, and leverage social media to attract clients. Create case studies to show off your successes.

Example:

Russ Henneberry

Wick Marketing

Best place to learn:

Digital Marketer

Sakas and Company

3. e-Commerce and dropshipping

Today, you can set up an e-commerce shop selling physical or digital products with NO previous experience, NO big bankroll, and NO warehouse full of products.

The key is dropshipping, where you find sources for your products, and submit individual orders after your customers buy from you.

Of course, you’ll need to treat your shop like a business, but if you’re looking for an online business that’s easy (and affordable) to start, this is it.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Choose a niche or a type of product you want to sell. Look on Wish.com and AliExpress.com to make sure you’ve got good sources at a low price.

Step 2: Sign up at Shopify and build your shop. Add the products you’ve chosen from Wish and AliExpress.

Step 3: Use paid advertising and social media to market your products. Be sure to follow up with customers, so they’ll turn into repeat buyers.

Example:

Colossal

BeardBrand

Best place to learn:

Academy of Arbitrage

Sellosity

4. Life coach

Sometimes we all need a little friendly advice from someone who’s traveled the road we’re on. And if you’ve already achieved some impressive goals that other people strive for, you’re in a good position to offer that friendly advice.

As a life coach, you’re not a consultant, counselor, or leadership mentor. You’ll provide a road map for achieving a specific outcome, and you’ll work with your clients until they succeed.

What type of goals can you help people with? As a life coach, it could be as simple as getting organized or improving a relationship.

And the good news is you can do all your coaching online through Skype or Zoom, or on the phone.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Identify the solution you’ll offer people through your coaching.

Step 2: Set up a website that shows off your coaching credentials. (People want to see experience or certification.) And be sure to include a blog where you can share the unique ideas you bring to the table.

Step 3: Help your clients achieve massive success and feature their testimonials on your website.

Example:

Coach Angela

Brook Noel

Best place to learn:

Coach Training World

Coach Pony

5. Etsy or eBay seller

Before Etsy, if you were a professional crafter, you had to make the craft fair circuit. Today, you can build a crafting business without ever leaving your house!

Etsy is an e-commerce marketplace specifically designed to help you sell your homemade wares. And if you prefer reselling other people’s wares, look no further than eBay, where you can sell products outright or set up an online auction.

It’s easy to get started.

Step 1: Choose a niche or a type of product to sell.

Step 2: Open your shop and create your first listing. Be sure to optimize it for search, so it comes up when people search for items like yours.

Step 3: Market your products with social media, paid advertising, or a blog. And take good care of your customers so they leave you good reviews.

Example:

Beantown Handmade

LoftedDesigns

Best place to learn:

com

Unsettle

6. Virtual assistant

If you’ve got Spidey sense that helps you know what your boss wants or needs before they ask… you’re organized… and a good communicator… you’ve got what it takes to succeed as a virtual assistant.

As a VA, you’ll work from home, providing administrative support for VIPs, entrepreneurs and small businesses. Tasks might include email, phone calls, travel arrangements, writing, editing, bookkeeping, and social media.

Best of all, no experience is required. Just a strong “get it done” attitude.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Build a website with a “Hire Me” page. Be sure to highlight the unique skills you bring to the table, such as speaking multiple languages, writing skills, or tech experience.

Step 2: Get the word out that you’re available: connect with potential clients through LinkedIn and Twitter, and register on Upwork, Freelancer, and TaskRabbit.

Step 3: Get recommendations from your happy clients and feature them on your website.

Example:

Kayla Sloan

Amy Williams

Best place to learn:

The VA Handbook

International Virtual Assistant Association

7. Multilevel marketing

If you’re a natural marketer, multilevel marketing (MLM) could be attractive to you. After all, you get to work with a team of people who are as passionate as you are about the brand you represent… you can focus on selling (not running a business)… and it’s your “job” to throw a lot of parties.

But MLMs aren’t everything they’re cracked up to be, you need to do your due diligence. While a few people do make a million and some do create a stream of income, most people end up going in the hole. And just about everyone ends up alienating their family and friends.

If you want a better way, check this out.

If you’re set on multilevel marketing, here’s a list of popular MLMs to consider. And here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Sign up with a company that’s got great products and a good reputation. Make sure it also pays well and treats its distributors well.

Step 2: Set up your sales channels—especially the web page or social media support provided by the company.

Step 3: Talk about the products online, to your friends, and to anyone you think your products would help. Focus on sales and recruiting, so you can quickly rise through the ranks.

Example:

Le-vel Thrive

Usborne Books

Best place to learn:

The 50 Best Network Marketing Companies

Network Marketing Works

8. Handyman

Like fixing things around the house? Turn your home repair skills into a profitable business.

As a professional handyman, you can be a jack of all trades, doing whatever your customers need. But you can often make more money if you specialize. Like painting, laying tile, or remodeling.

It’s easy to get started.

Step 1: Choose the service (or services) you’ll provide. Get whatever licensing and insurance your state requires.

Step 2: Set up your business. You’ll probably need a truck or van, tools, and good suppliers for the building materials you’ll need.

Step 3: Get the word out that you’re available for hire. Consider building a website, advertising in your local paper, or putting a listing in Angie’s list.

Example:

Done Right

Chicago Handyman

Best place to learn:

Handyman Startup

Ask the Handyman

9. Lawn care specialist

Mowing the neighbors’ lawns may be a good side gig for teenagers, but it can easily morph into a full-time home-based business.

If you love being outdoors and have a green thumb, consider starting a lawn care business. You can focus on mowing, but you can also offer special services, such as weed control, landscaping, and more.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Choose the type of lawn care services you’ll provide and set the location of your business. (You’ll save time and money if your customers are close by.) Check out state requirements for licensing and insurance.

Step 2: Set up shop. You’ll need a high quality (aim for commercial grade) lawn mower, a truck, a trailer, and other equipment.

Step 3: Build a website promoting your services. Pass out flyers. And ask your customers to tell their friends about your services so you get some good word-of-mouth advertising.

Example:

Tom’s Lawn Service

Agave LD

Best place to learn:

org

Lawn Care Business Success

10. Home cleaning service

Cleaning is no one’s favorite chore, so most people are happy to pay someone else to do it for them. If you don’t mind doing windows (or baseboards or toilets), you can make good money cleaning homes.

As with any business, you’ll do well to specialize. For instance, you could use only non-toxic or aromatherapy cleaning products, clean new construction sites, or specialize in business offices.

It’s easy to get started.

Step 1: Choose your specialty and the geo-area you’ll work in. Also, obtain any necessary licenses, permits, an insurance coverage.

Step 2: Get set up. You’ll need cleaning equipment, cleaners, and a van to transport it to each customer’s home.

Step 3: Start promoting your business by building a website, advertising, and listing your services on Angie’s list.

Example:

Page’s Cleaning

Amelia’s Maids

Best place to learn:

Aromatherapy Naturals

Online Cleaning Coach

11. Property manager

Today, more people are choosing to rent over buying. And all that rental property needs management—from overseeing repairs to finding tenants and collecting rent.

Before diving in, though, check out your licensing requirements. You may need to have a real estate license or special certification. And even if it’s not required, it’s worth the effort. Professional credentials can build trust and set you apart from the competition.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Learn your state and local laws around rental properties and the landlord-tenant relationship. Get certified as a property manager.

Step 2: Start with properties you own or in a neighborhood you’re familiar with, so you can learn the ropes. Set up a process for managing the properties, your renters, and finances.

Step 3: Start networking with real estate agents. Market your services to local residential and commercial owners.

Example:

A Plus Management

Synergy Real Estate Group

Best place to learn:

The Property Management Coach

Propertyware

12. Online bookkeeping service

If numbers are your thing, you can bring home 6-figures as an online bookkeeper. And it’s a business that is in high demand. After all, every business needs to maintain their books—and they need your services all year round.

Unlike an accounting business, as a bookkeeper, you don’t need a degree or professional certifications. (They might help, though, so check them out.)

What you do need to know are the basics, like double-entry bookkeeping, bookkeeping software, report generation, and reconciling discrepancies.

It’s easy to get started.

Step 1: Choose a niche, like nonprofits or professional services.

Step 2: Build a website that explains what you do, the niche you serve, and how you work. Be sure to add testimonials from happy customers as you get them.

Step 3: Get your first few clients. Network with business owners in your niche on sites like LinkedIn. Sign up for freelance sites like UpWork, where prospects can find you. Attend live events where you can meet potential clients.

Example:

Virtual Bookkeeping Services

Backyard Bookkeeper

Best place to learn:

The Accounting Coach

American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers

13. Childcare service

Love children? Start a childcare service.

You can start with babysitting services and, once you’re established, formalize your services by setting up as a child care center. And you can offer whatever types of care you like: mother’s day out, daycare, after-school care, evening care, or even date night childcare.

Once you’re ready to set up a center, here’s what you need to do.

Step 1: Decide the type of childcare you’ll provide, where and when you’ll provide it, and how much you’ll charge. Get any certifications you need.

Step 2: Set up your childcare facility with child-safe equipment. Get inspected and licensed by state and local regulators. Protect yourself with the proper insurance.

Step 3: Market your business. Set up a website or list your services on Care.com. Advertise in local papers. And network to build word-of-mouth advertising.

Example:

Happy Faces 247

Papa and Nana’s Childcare Center

Best place to learn:

How to Start a Quality Child Care Business

Child Care Services Association

14. Personal chef

Everyone eats—and a large majority of people hate cooking. Which means you can create a profitable business as a personal chef.

While you don’t need experience or training (all you really need is a reputation as a fantastic cook), you’ll gain confidence if you get a little training. The Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) will teach you how to feed your client’s well.

Best of all, it’s easy to get started.

Step 1: Decide the type of cooking you want to do (vegan, Southern, etc.). Then identify your ideal client. Remember, you’ll be going into people’s homes to cook for them, so you need to find clients within a small radius.

Step 2: Build a website to promote your services. Talk about your cooking in social media.

Step 3: Wow your clients and ask for recommendations, so you can quickly grow your business.

Example:

The Nourishing Vegan

Carlos Crusco

Best place to learn:

Sweet Potato Soul

American Personal & Private Chef Association

15. Event planner

An event planning business can easily be run from your home. So if you’re organized and enjoy playing host, this is the perfect business for you.

As an event planner, you can plan a wide range of events: business meetings, conferences, weddings, and parties.

And getting started is easy.

Step 1: Decide whether you want to specialize in one type of event or be a generalist. Get any required licenses and insurance.

Step 2: Build a website and set up social media accounts. Buy whatever equipment and tools you’ll need for your events.

Step 3: Get the word out and get some events under your belt. Then ask for testimonials you can feature on your website.

Example:

Elias Events

Boutique Event Planning

Best place to learn:

Event Manager Blog

Event Planning Blueprint

16. Photographer

Photography is a terrific small business for creatives with a flair for snapping impressive photos.

Your options are endless. You can specialize in weddings, graduations, corporate events, baby pics, family portraits, or pet photos. You’re the creative. Come up with a unique approach that sets you apart from the competition.

You can start by taking pictures of friends and family. But once you’re ready to go pro, here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Pick a niche or two or three. Get whatever equipment you may need.

Step 2: Build a website or Facebook and Instagram pages. Show off your photography everywhere you can online.

Step 3: Think big. Be creative. And wow your clients with a fun (and photogenic) experience. Be sure to ask for referrals!

Example:

Laurie Bacon-Campbell

The Peaceful Moment

Best place to learn:

Photography Concentrate

Digital Photography School

17. Personal trainer

For health nuts, the best small business opportunity is to become a personal trainer.

You can work with people in their homes, outdoors, in a private studio, in corporate offices, or health clubs. And you can do group training or one-on-one sessions with private clients.

You may also choose to specialize in specific areas, such as bodybuilding, weight loss, seniors, women, or handicapped people.

And it’s easy to get started.

Step 1: Choose your specialty and get certified—AFPA offers Personal Trainer Certification and specialty certifications. Look into getting professional liability insurance too.

Step 2: Build a website or Facebook and Instagram pages. Talk about your work in fitness and training, so people recognize you as an expert.

Step 3: Meet with potential clients to evaluate their goals and determine whether you’re a good fit. Then help them meet or beat their goals. Be sure to ask for recommendations so you can build your client list.

Example:

Transform Fitness

Amara Hull

Best place to learn:

American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA)

National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT)

18. Yoga teacher

Teaching yoga won’t make you rich. The payout is peace and contentment, not dollars in the bank.

That said, if you already practice yoga, becoming a teacher could be fulfilling—and you’ll get paid to do what you love.

You can teach without investing in a private studio. Just hold your classes in your home, local gym, or conference room. And don’t worry about certifications. They aren’t required, though you should register with Yoga Alliance, the standardizing body for yoga in America.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Choose the style of yoga you want to specialize in, such as Ashtanga, Iyengar, Kundalini, or Vinyasa. Get teacher training if you haven’t already, and register with Yoga Alliance.

Step 2: Start teaching. Offer private or group classes to friends and family. Talk to local businesses about offering group classes to their employees. Or offer classes during lunch at your workplace.

Step 3: Get the word out. Build a website or blog. Talk about your practice in social media. Hand out flyers in local businesses.

Example:

Soul Strong Yoga

The Yoga Room

Best place to learn:

Yoga Alliance

Yoga Outlet

19. Music teacher

Teaching music can be anywhere from a good side gig to a full-time income. The key is to attract long-term students and build multiple streams of income from your music.

As a music teacher, you’ll teach students how to play an instrument or sing, either one-on-one or in a group setting. You may also teach music performance and theory.

While you don’t need a degree to get started, you do need to be proficient in at least one instrument, be able to read music, and teaching experience.

It’s easy to get started.

Step 1: Post ads near your home and on social media. Create a post on Thumbtack. Talk with music groups and band directors in your area about offering private lessons to their members and students.

Step 2: Get one student and knock it out of the park with them. Then let word-of-mouth kick in.

Step 3: Keep adding students—and have fun while you’re building a solid income with your music.

Example:

Renee Kesselring

Thumbtack

Best place to learn:

Careers in Music

Grow Your Music Studio

20. Tutor

Most people need help with difficult subjects. If you’re a whiz at a tough subject like math or foreign languages, or if you hold a higher degree, you can make good money as a tutor.

You can tutor students in specific subjects or specific grades. You can also help them study for academic tests like SAT or GMAT, or help them prepare for professional certification like CPA exams or insurance certification.

Remember, on Skype you can tutor people online, which means you aren’t limited to students near you.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Start close to home. If you hear of someone struggling with a subject you’re an expert in, offer to help. Let friends and family know you’re doing tutoring and ask them to recommend you.

Step 2: Talk to local schools and universities, and ask them to recommend your services to students who are struggling. Sign up on sites like Care.com or Chegg Tutors. Build a Facebook page for your tutoring.

Step 3: Start adding students and helping them succeed. Then ask them to recommend you to their friends.

Example:

com

Math Tutor Courses

Best place to learn:

StudentTutor

The Tutor Coach

21. Bed and breakfast owner

Bed and breakfasts host 50.5 million guests each year, with 50% of rooms filled every day and prices skyrocketing. While B&Bs don’t often make you rich, you can definitely make a profit.

But running a B&B isn’t all pancakes and teacups. It’s hard work providing a luxury breakfast buffet, elite maid service, and all the extra touches your customers expect.

You also need to be sure you’re located in a travel destination or your home is historic or quirky enough to become a destination. If not, I hate to break it to you, but you either need a new home or a new small business idea. (Sorry.)

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Make sure your property is zoned, licensed, and insured for a B&B. Set up your home for paid guests.

Step 2: Get the word out. Advertise. Set up a website. List your home on B&B websites, AirBnB, and Craigslist. Share pics in social media. Build an email list of customers and prospects, then email them on a regular basis.

Step 3: Start booking customers and making money.

Example:

Nutt House Historic Hotel

The Little Stone Cottage

Best place to learn:

Bed and Breakfast

The B&B Coach

22. Caregiver/Companion

The need for private, non-medical care is on the rise. If you’re compassionate with a strong nurturing bent, you can start a successful small business as a caregiver.

As a caregiver, you may provide help with daily living activities, meal prep, housekeeping, and transportation. If you’re also a licensed nurse or rehab specialist, you can offer additional services.

It’s easy to get started.

Step 1: Choose the types of services you’ll provide, for whom, and where. Check your state requirements for training.

Step 2: Build a website. Create social media pages. List your services on ElderCare.com and other caregiving websites.

Step 3: Start offering compassionate care to your customers, and feel good about yourself while bringing in the money.

Example:

HouseWorks

Eva H

Best place to learn:

Wise Caregiving

CaregiverList

Which is your favorite?

Those are my 21 favorite small business ideas. All of them valid. Most of them easy to break into and start making money with.

Now I’d like to hear from you…

Which small business idea are you ready to try?

Have you started another type of small business that’s working great for you?

Let me know in the comments below.

via https://mlmcompanies.org/small-business-ideas/

0 notes

mlmcompanies · 6 years ago

Link

If you’re ready to leave the 9-to-5 grind in the dust…

You’re in luck.

There’s no better time than now to take control of your life and start your own small business.

In this post, I’m going to show you 22 of the best small business ideas available today.

Most will be easy to get up and running—and give you a good income in a short time. All of them will be fun and interesting…

And give you the satisfaction of being your own boss.

You only need to find one that fits your personality, skills, and experience, and you’ll be set for success.

So let’s get started: the best small business ideas I’m seeing today.

1. Paid ads

There’s definitely money to be made online—if you know how.

And there’s no smarter way than through paid ads.

The top two channels for online ads are Facebook and Google, and you can specialize in one or both.

Here’s how to open shop as a paid ads specialist.

Step 1: Build your portfolio of successful ad campaigns. You need to be able to show real numbers, including ad spend and ROI.

Step 2: Build a website for your paid ads business. Be sure to show off your track record and talk about your ad services.

Step 3: Market your services through advertising, social media, and content marketing, so you can attract a steady stream of high-paying clients.

Example:

com, Justin Brooke

Digital Strategy Boot Camps, Molly Pittman

Best place to learn:

The Complete Guide to Getting Started with Facebook Ads

AdSkills

2. Marketing agency

As a marketing agency, you can work alone or with a team that rounds out your expertise. You can also be the strategist, coming up with the ideas and outsourcing the work.

How you operate your agency is entirely up to you.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Build a portfolio of A-level marketing campaigns—including the stats to prove your campaigns generate results.

Step 2: Build a website explaining who you, what you do, and who your services will benefit. (You can be a full-stack marketing agency or specialize in one particular skill.)

Step 3: Create a lead generation funnel with a tool like Clickfunnels, blog about marketing, and leverage social media to attract clients. Create case studies to show off your successes.

Example:

Russ Henneberry

Wick Marketing

Best place to learn:

Digital Marketer

Sakas and Company

3. e-Commerce and dropshipping

Today, you can set up an e-commerce shop selling physical or digital products with NO previous experience, NO big bankroll, and NO warehouse full of products.

The key is dropshipping, where you find sources for your products, and submit individual orders after your customers buy from you.

Of course, you’ll need to treat your shop like a business, but if you’re looking for an online business that’s easy (and affordable) to start, this is it.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Choose a niche or a type of product you want to sell. Look on Wish.com and AliExpress.com to make sure you’ve got good sources at a low price.

Step 2: Sign up at Shopify and build your shop. Add the products you’ve chosen from Wish and AliExpress.

Step 3: Use paid advertising and social media to market your products. Be sure to follow up with customers, so they’ll turn into repeat buyers.

Example:

Colossal

BeardBrand

Best place to learn:

Academy of Arbitrage

Sellosity

4. Life coach

As a life coach, you’re not a consultant, counselor, or leadership mentor. You’ll provide a road map for achieving a specific outcome, and you’ll work with your clients until they succeed.

What type of goals can you help people with? As a life coach, it could be as simple as getting organized or improving a relationship.

And the good news is you can do all your coaching online through Skype or Zoom, or on the phone.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Identify the solution you’ll offer people through your coaching.

Step 3: Help your clients achieve massive success and feature their testimonials on your website.

Example:

Coach Angela

Brook Noel

Best place to learn:

Coach Training World

Coach Pony

5. Etsy or eBay seller

Before Etsy, if you were a professional crafter, you had to make the craft fair circuit. Today, you can build a crafting business without ever leaving your house!

It’s easy to get started.

Step 1: Choose a niche or a type of product to sell.

Step 2: Open your shop and create your first listing. Be sure to optimize it for search, so it comes up when people search for items like yours.

Step 3: Market your products with social media, paid advertising, or a blog. And take good care of your customers so they leave you good reviews.

Example:

Beantown Handmade

LoftedDesigns

Best place to learn:

com

Unsettle

6. Virtual assistant

Best of all, no experience is required. Just a strong “get it done” attitude.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Build a website with a “Hire Me” page. Be sure to highlight the unique skills you bring to the table, such as speaking multiple languages, writing skills, or tech experience.

Step 2: Get the word out that you’re available: connect with potential clients through LinkedIn and Twitter, and register on Upwork, Freelancer, and TaskRabbit.

Step 3: Get recommendations from your happy clients and feature them on your website.

Example:

Kayla Sloan

Amy Williams

Best place to learn:

The VA Handbook

International Virtual Assistant Association

7. Multilevel marketing

If you want a better way, check this out.

If you’re set on multilevel marketing, here’s a list of popular MLMs to consider. And here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Sign up with a company that’s got great products and a good reputation. Make sure it also pays well and treats its distributors well.

Step 2: Set up your sales channels—especially the web page or social media support provided by the company.

Step 3: Talk about the products online, to your friends, and to anyone you think your products would help. Focus on sales and recruiting, so you can quickly rise through the ranks.

Example:

Le-vel Thrive

Usborne Books

Best place to learn:

The 50 Best Network Marketing Companies

Network Marketing Works

8. Handyman

Like fixing things around the house? Turn your home repair skills into a profitable business.

As a professional handyman, you can be a jack of all trades, doing whatever your customers need. But you can often make more money if you specialize. Like painting, laying tile, or remodeling.

It’s easy to get started.

Step 1: Choose the service (or services) you’ll provide. Get whatever licensing and insurance your state requires.

Step 2: Set up your business. You’ll probably need a truck or van, tools, and good suppliers for the building materials you’ll need.

Step 3: Get the word out that you’re available for hire. Consider building a website, advertising in your local paper, or putting a listing in Angie’s list.

Example:

Done Right

Chicago Handyman

Best place to learn:

Handyman Startup

Ask the Handyman

9. Lawn care specialist

Mowing the neighbors’ lawns may be a good side gig for teenagers, but it can easily morph into a full-time home-based business.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 2: Set up shop. You’ll need a high quality (aim for commercial grade) lawn mower, a truck, a trailer, and other equipment.

Step 3: Build a website promoting your services. Pass out flyers. And ask your customers to tell their friends about your services so you get some good word-of-mouth advertising.

Example:

Tom’s Lawn Service

Agave LD

Best place to learn:

org

Lawn Care Business Success

10. Home cleaning service

As with any business, you’ll do well to specialize. For instance, you could use only non-toxic or aromatherapy cleaning products, clean new construction sites, or specialize in business offices.

It’s easy to get started.

Step 1: Choose your specialty and the geo-area you’ll work in. Also, obtain any necessary licenses, permits, an insurance coverage.

Step 2: Get set up. You’ll need cleaning equipment, cleaners, and a van to transport it to each customer’s home.

Step 3: Start promoting your business by building a website, advertising, and listing your services on Angie’s list.

Example:

Page’s Cleaning

Amelia’s Maids

Best place to learn:

Aromatherapy Naturals

Online Cleaning Coach

11. Property manager

Today, more people are choosing to rent over buying. And all that rental property needs management—from overseeing repairs to finding tenants and collecting rent.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Learn your state and local laws around rental properties and the landlord-tenant relationship. Get certified as a property manager.

Step 2: Start with properties you own or in a neighborhood you’re familiar with, so you can learn the ropes. Set up a process for managing the properties, your renters, and finances.

Step 3: Start networking with real estate agents. Market your services to local residential and commercial owners.

Example:

A Plus Management

Synergy Real Estate Group

Best place to learn:

The Property Management Coach

Propertyware

12. Online bookkeeping service

Unlike an accounting business, as a bookkeeper, you don’t need a degree or professional certifications. (They might help, though, so check them out.)

What you do need to know are the basics, like double-entry bookkeeping, bookkeeping software, report generation, and reconciling discrepancies.

It’s easy to get started.

Step 1: Choose a niche, like nonprofits or professional services.

Step 2: Build a website that explains what you do, the niche you serve, and how you work. Be sure to add testimonials from happy customers as you get them.

Example:

Virtual Bookkeeping Services

Backyard Bookkeeper

Best place to learn:

The Accounting Coach

American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers

13. Childcare service

Love children? Start a childcare service.

Once you’re ready to set up a center, here’s what you need to do.

Step 1: Decide the type of childcare you’ll provide, where and when you’ll provide it, and how much you’ll charge. Get any certifications you need.

Step 2: Set up your childcare facility with child-safe equipment. Get inspected and licensed by state and local regulators. Protect yourself with the proper insurance.

Step 3: Market your business. Set up a website or list your services on Care.com. Advertise in local papers. And network to build word-of-mouth advertising.

Example:

Happy Faces 247

Papa and Nana’s Childcare Center

Best place to learn:

How to Start a Quality Child Care Business

Child Care Services Association

14. Personal chef

Everyone eats—and a large majority of people hate cooking. Which means you can create a profitable business as a personal chef.

Best of all, it’s easy to get started.

Step 2: Build a website to promote your services. Talk about your cooking in social media.

Step 3: Wow your clients and ask for recommendations, so you can quickly grow your business.

Example:

The Nourishing Vegan

Carlos Crusco

Best place to learn:

Sweet Potato Soul

American Personal & Private Chef Association

15. Event planner

An event planning business can easily be run from your home. So if you’re organized and enjoy playing host, this is the perfect business for you.

As an event planner, you can plan a wide range of events: business meetings, conferences, weddings, and parties.

And getting started is easy.

Step 1: Decide whether you want to specialize in one type of event or be a generalist. Get any required licenses and insurance.

Step 2: Build a website and set up social media accounts. Buy whatever equipment and tools you’ll need for your events.

Step 3: Get the word out and get some events under your belt. Then ask for testimonials you can feature on your website.

Example:

Elias Events

Boutique Event Planning

Best place to learn:

Event Manager Blog

Event Planning Blueprint

16. Photographer

Photography is a terrific small business for creatives with a flair for snapping impressive photos.

You can start by taking pictures of friends and family. But once you’re ready to go pro, here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Pick a niche or two or three. Get whatever equipment you may need.

Step 2: Build a website or Facebook and Instagram pages. Show off your photography everywhere you can online.

Step 3: Think big. Be creative. And wow your clients with a fun (and photogenic) experience. Be sure to ask for referrals!

Example:

Laurie Bacon-Campbell

The Peaceful Moment

Best place to learn:

Photography Concentrate

Digital Photography School

17. Personal trainer

For health nuts, the best small business opportunity is to become a personal trainer.

You can work with people in their homes, outdoors, in a private studio, in corporate offices, or health clubs. And you can do group training or one-on-one sessions with private clients.

You may also choose to specialize in specific areas, such as bodybuilding, weight loss, seniors, women, or handicapped people.

And it’s easy to get started.

Step 1: Choose your specialty and get certified—AFPA offers Personal Trainer Certification and specialty certifications. Look into getting professional liability insurance too.

Step 2: Build a website or Facebook and Instagram pages. Talk about your work in fitness and training, so people recognize you as an expert.

Example:

Transform Fitness

Amara Hull

Best place to learn:

American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA)

National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT)

18. Yoga teacher

Teaching yoga won’t make you rich. The payout is peace and contentment, not dollars in the bank.

That said, if you already practice yoga, becoming a teacher could be fulfilling—and you’ll get paid to do what you love.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Choose the style of yoga you want to specialize in, such as Ashtanga, Iyengar, Kundalini, or Vinyasa. Get teacher training if you haven’t already, and register with Yoga Alliance.

Step 3: Get the word out. Build a website or blog. Talk about your practice in social media. Hand out flyers in local businesses.

Example:

Soul Strong Yoga

The Yoga Room

Best place to learn:

Yoga Alliance

Yoga Outlet

19. Music teacher

Teaching music can be anywhere from a good side gig to a full-time income. The key is to attract long-term students and build multiple streams of income from your music.

As a music teacher, you’ll teach students how to play an instrument or sing, either one-on-one or in a group setting. You may also teach music performance and theory.

While you don’t need a degree to get started, you do need to be proficient in at least one instrument, be able to read music, and teaching experience.

It’s easy to get started.

Step 1: Post ads near your home and on social media. Create a post on Thumbtack. Talk with music groups and band directors in your area about offering private lessons to their members and students.

Step 2: Get one student and knock it out of the park with them. Then let word-of-mouth kick in.

Step 3: Keep adding students—and have fun while you’re building a solid income with your music.

Example:

Renee Kesselring

Thumbtack

Best place to learn:

Careers in Music

Grow Your Music Studio

20. Tutor

Most people need help with difficult subjects. If you’re a whiz at a tough subject like math or foreign languages, or if you hold a higher degree, you can make good money as a tutor.

Remember, on Skype you can tutor people online, which means you aren’t limited to students near you.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Start close to home. If you hear of someone struggling with a subject you’re an expert in, offer to help. Let friends and family know you’re doing tutoring and ask them to recommend you.

Step 3: Start adding students and helping them succeed. Then ask them to recommend you to their friends.

Example:

com

Math Tutor Courses

Best place to learn:

StudentTutor

The Tutor Coach

21. Bed and breakfast owner

Bed and breakfasts host 50.5 million guests each year, with 50% of rooms filled every day and prices skyrocketing. While B&Bs don’t often make you rich, you can definitely make a profit.

But running a B&B isn’t all pancakes and teacups. It’s hard work providing a luxury breakfast buffet, elite maid service, and all the extra touches your customers expect.

Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Make sure your property is zoned, licensed, and insured for a B&B. Set up your home for paid guests.

Step 3: Start booking customers and making money.

Example:

Nutt House Historic Hotel

The Little Stone Cottage

Best place to learn:

Bed and Breakfast

The B&B Coach

22. Caregiver/Companion

The need for private, non-medical care is on the rise. If you’re compassionate with a strong nurturing bent, you can start a successful small business as a caregiver.

It’s easy to get started.

Step 1: Choose the types of services you’ll provide, for whom, and where. Check your state requirements for training.

Step 2: Build a website. Create social media pages. List your services on ElderCare.com and other caregiving websites.

Step 3: Start offering compassionate care to your customers, and feel good about yourself while bringing in the money.

Example:

HouseWorks

Eva H

Best place to learn:

Wise Caregiving

CaregiverList

Which is your favorite?

Those are my 21 favorite small business ideas. All of them valid. Most of them easy to break into and start making money with.

Now I’d like to hear from you…

Which small business idea are you ready to try?

Have you started another type of small business that’s working great for you?

Let me know in the comments below.

#MLM companies #network marketing companies

0 notes